A record 58-0 defeat may still hurt but skipper Alex Glenn says Brisbane’s focus will be extending their perfect NRL season start in Thursday’s clash with Parramatta.
Glenn said the Broncos would never forget their embarrassing 2019 finals exit at the hands of the rampant Eels.
He admitted a round three victory at Suncorp Stadium against their tormentors would help ease the pain.
However, he said the unbeaten Broncos’ priority was maintaining their winning 2020 momentum when the NRL season restarts.
“I would be wrong if I said we are over that loss, we are still hurting,” Glenn said.
“It was obviously a game that us players and the fans will never forget.
“But in saying that we are not using that as our main focus going into this game.
“We want to make sure we keep that momentum going.”
Brisbane would be forgiven for holding a grudge after Parramatta’s 11-try romp in the first week of last season’s finals campaign.
It led to sweeping changes of the Broncos leadership group, resulting in Glenn taking over the captaincy from Darius Boyd.
But Glenn claimed the Broncos always had rejuvenation – rather than revenge against the Eels – on their minds as they tried to rebuild in the wake of the horror loss.
“It was a long off-season, let’s put it that way,” Glenn said.
“To finish our season the way that we did is something that hurt deep in the soul.
“We used that… to fuel the flame inside us to make sure every training session, every rep we are doing, we are competing the best we can and to never give up on our teammates.
“But when we come up against Parramatta there is no revenge. It’s all about making sure we pick up where we left off in round two.”
Glenn will lead the Broncos as club captain for the first time against the Eels, bolstered by the return of Matt Lodge.
Front-rower Lodge has made a remarkable recovery, cleared to be named on the bench despite fears he would miss season after aggravating a partial ACL tear at training in February.
“He’s pumped to just be back out there and will add strike force to our team,” Glenn said.
