NEW ROLE: Alex Glenn has been selected to replace injured Broncos halfback Peter Wallace. / The Courier-Mail - September 2009

THE man who delivered Alex Glenn to the Brisbane Broncos has backed the New Zealander's shock selection at halfback for Saturday night's NRL preliminary final against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Former Queensland State of Origin hooker John Dowling said yesterday that the Broncos would be foolish to take skipper Darren Lockyer away from his traditional five-eighth role.

Dowling, a member of St George's 1979 premiership side, said Glenn would provide a good pass from the scrum base and fill any other role coach Ivan Henjak had in mind.

"I almost sent Ivan a text message to not forget to give Alex a go at halfback," Dowling said.

"He's young and still learning the game, but can do anything. He's a good footballer and I think he's ready for the challenge. They have to make as few changes as possible given how well everyone has been going, it would be foolish to take Locky away from the No. 6 spot.

"Locky is a rejuvenated footballer and when he is first receiver on the right side picking up all his runners he makes it look so easy."

Henjak credits his former St George teammate Dowling for tipping off the club about Glenn's potential after the Auckland-born utility starred for Burleigh Bears in colts and Queensland Cup.

Glenn captained Brisbane's under-20s to the grand final from lock last year with Ben Hunt at halfback. Henjak said Lockyer's role would not change much on Saturday.

"But Peter Wallace did a really good job for us in a number of areas and Locky will have to take up the slack," Henjak said.

"But it's not only Locky. A couple of other guys will have to do a few things differently, or a little bit extra."

There is little doubt the kicking games of specialist dummy-half Andrew McCullough and AFL-bound fullback Karmichael Hunt will have to come into play more often to take pressure off Lockyer.

And veteran lock Tonie Carroll and wide-running forward Ben Te'o also can be expected to fill pseudo five-eighth roles to relieve the pressure on Lockyer. Glenn has been placed off limits to the media. Henjak said the youngster did not need extra attention.

"It's a new position for him and he has to get his head around it," Henjak said.

"I'd just like him to be able to concentrate on that this week."

Henjak and assistant coaches Paul Green and Allan Langer are former halfbacks, but Henjak said they would not give Glenn a crash course in what is required of a No. 7.

"The way we're going to play our footy might not be like traditional halves," Henjak said. "We're still going to throw what we normally throw at them.

"Defence is such an important part. We wouldn't have scored the points we scored against St George if we hadn't defended the way we had and that's going to be the key again."

Henjak said the players did not have a "do it for Wallace" mentality, despite the depth of feeling for their injured teammate.

"As a group we're playing for our jersey, for this club and each other."