Brisbane veteran Matt Gillett has welcomed the signing of back-rower Shaun Fensom on a one-year NRL deal.
Fensom, 30, has added welcome depth to the Broncos’ pack after the off-season departure of Sam Thaiday (retirement), Test lock Josh McGuire (North Queensland) and Korbin Sims (St George Illawarra).
Fensom – who spent the past two seasons at the Cowboys – hit the ground running at his new club, chiming into Brisbane’s first session at Red Hill on Monday when the players returned for pre-season training.
Another welcome sight was former Test back-rower Gillett, who made his return after his 2018 season was sabotaged by injury.
Back from a shoulder reconstruction, Gillett backed himself to be not only fit for the NRL season opener in March but also hoped to play a pre-season trial.
Gillett said the arrival of 174-game veteran Fensom was just what the depleted Broncos’ pack needed, as they looked to start a new era under former South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold.
“He’s one of those players where you know what you are going to get out of him,” Gillett said.
“And he’s a workhorse – he’s not going to let you down.
“He’s an experienced player as well. Having him amongst the group is going to help the younger blokes learn those traits.”
In a 10-year career, Fensom played 139 games for Canberra before linking with North Queensland where he featured in the 2017 NRL grand final.