It wasn’t quite how he imagined it but Alex Glenn says he will still cherish the first time he runs out for an NRL game as Brisbane’s club captain.
Due to the NRL re-start’s strict coronavirus protocols, empty stands at Suncorp Stadium will greet Glenn on Thursday night when he finally leads the Broncos in their round three clash with Parramatta.
However, he thinks it will be worth the wait after a hamstring injury and the pandemic-enforced shutdown kept his official captaincy debut on ice since being unveiled as skipper in January.
“It’s going to be very different not having anyone there,” Glenn said.
“When I pictured the moment, when I was announced captain, it was me running out on the field with both (his children) Miller and Gisele in my arms.
“Obviously with the circumstances that are in play at the moment that can’t happen.”
Former Kiwi international Glenn said it was still humbling to take over the Broncos reins for the NRL’s highly-anticipated return match since the shutdown.
“There are still going to be a lot of eyes watching the footy,” he said.
“We are the first sport that is going to be back and televised.
“I think the whole nation, New Zealand and England are going to be watching so it’s still a huge occasion, just the atmosphere won’t be there.”
The 31-year-old back-rower was honoured to follow in the footsteps of some of rugby league’s biggest names as Brisbane skipper.
After a handful of games leading an undermanned Broncos during past State of Origin periods, Glenn will officially join a club that features Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.
“It’s quite surreal to be honest,” said Glenn, who has played 259 games since his NRL debut in 2009.
“I would never put myself up with the Lockys and Wallys because in my eyes those guys are legends … I will be fighting some emotions when I run out.”
One of them will be anxiety.
Glenn joked he was under pressure on Thursday after stand-in co-skippers Brodie Croft and Pat Carrigan steered Brisbane to a 2-0 record before the league shutdown.
“They have been giving it to me all week,” Glenn said of Croft and Carrigan.
“There is a bit of pressure on me personally (to win) so they don’t have anything on me.”
