'Lead through actions': Glenn's captaincy mantra

In an historic appointment, veteran forward Alex Glenn has become the first non-Queenslander named as full-time captain of the Broncos.

The 31-year-old, who has played 259 NRL games for the club since his first grade debut in 2009, said his gratitude was "through the roof" as he fronted a press conference on Friday with coach Anthony Seibold and CEO Paul White.

New Zealand-born Glenn will replace 2006 premiership winner Darius Boyd. Boyd had held the post at the Broncos since 2017.

A fortnight ago Seibold took Glenn to Broncos Leagues Club for breakfast. Over bacon and eggs, he told him of his appointment.

Seibold had informed Boyd last September that he was relieving him of the captaincy duties so he could focus on finishing his stellar career on a high as a player.

The coach sought feedback from all Broncos players about who should be in the club's new leadership group and about the next club captain but the final decision was Seibold's.  

Glenn, who said he was "honoured" to be appointed, spoke with pride in front of friends and family, including fiance Jemma and his two children Miller and Gisele.

"It is not hard to get emotional in a moment like this. I have been here for over 10 years now and the gratitude I have right now is through the roof," Glenn said.

"You dream of wearing a Brisbane Broncos jersey but to now be the captain of this great club that has such a rich history ... is something that I am very grateful for. I will be doing everything I can to make you all proud.”

On his initial response to Seibiold's proposal, Glenn said he was "over the moon".

"I couldn't stop shaking, which I am doing right now. It didn't sink in until I got home and was sitting on the couch with Jemma and I said 'I can’t believe I am going to be the captain'.''

White said Glenn had been voted the club's most consistent player on five occasions, including the last three seasons. He said his appointment was "the obvious choice and the right choice”.

Seibold said Glenn would not let the Broncos down.

"I got together with Lexi a few weeks ago over bacon and eggs and a coffee and I said 'I see you as someone who has got influence in our group through actions'," he said.

"I don't want him to change at all. Why he has been elected as a leader and why the playing group elected him to the leadership group is because of his actions."

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Glenn said he would be leaning on the wisdom of Boyd, who is part of the new leadership group.

The Broncos have only had Maroons legends captain the side since their arrival in 1988. The post is considered the most prestigious in Queensland sport with Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer and Kevin Walters the first four Brisbane captains.

They were followed by Gorden Tallis, Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday before Justin Hodges and Corey Parker became the club's first co-captains in 2014. Hodges and Parker then had stints as sole captains before Boyd's appointment by former coach Wayne Bennett in 2017.

Glenn, who captained Brisbane's inaugural under 20s side in 2008, recently inked a two-year extension until the end of 2021 after there were doubts about his future. Friday's appointment gave him both motivation and cause to reflect.

"You walk across the road and see [photos of] our previous club captains and what they have done for this club and their status in the game as legends," he said.

"There are leaders at the club and then there is the club captain and the step up between those two is a huge leap.

"The only thing that I know is to lead through my actions and nothing is going to change. I have some great leaders around me and Darius is still a legend to me and has so much experience that adds to our team."