There were two new captains, a new strength and conditioning coach and a handful of unfamiliar faces at Alex Glenn's first pre-season training session of 2014 and the Broncos back-rower is predicting a dramatic turnaround in club fortunes as a result.
Glenn, deposed captain Sam Thaiday, recently installed co-captain Corey Parker and Josh Hoffman were back on deck at Broncos HQ on Monday, their post World Cup holiday brought to a shuddering halt by a near two-hour session under new fitness coach Alex Corvo.
The Kiwi international also got to join off-season recruits Ben Barba, Martin Kennedy, Daniel Vidot, Stewart Mills and Jon Green on the training paddock for the first time and along with the absent Todd Lowrie, it represents the most significant recruitment campaign since the Broncos entered the competition in 1988.
Securing the signature of Barba ranks among the most high-profile acquisitions in the club's history and Glenn said that the atmosphere on Monday gives every indication that the Broncos will rise to challenge the NRL's top teams in 2014.
"They had to make some changes and what's done is done and we're moving forward but to see the boys and the vibe, you just get that aura that something is going to happen this year and it's great to be amongst it," Glenn said.
"All the different changes in the coaching staff and the players, there's a different feel to it. It's great and seeing a lot of big boys in the team it starts putting healthy competition against each other.
"The environment seems great and everyone is in a happy-chappy mood so it just makes me feel great on the first day, too.
"I was happy with where we were at but obviously there were changes that needed to be made and they were made. We're behind the club and we do everything for this club and what's best for the club, we just follow through."
Although he was forced to leave the session early to ice his right ankle, Barba's influence on the entire squad will go a long way towards turning around the fortunes of the Broncos, Glenn comparing his potential input to that of Sonny Bill Williams with the New Zealand World Cup team.
"You've seen the talent that Benny has got and can produce but obviously there are going to be players that are very nervous because he's coming in and he might be taking your position, like 'Hoffy' (Josh Hoffman) was," said Glenn.
"It's very exciting when you get a player of that stature that can perform on the field as strong as he can. You always want to play with players like that.
"I got the opportunity to play with Sonny and it was the same thing playing with him. You learn new stuff from professionals like themselves and take it on board. I'm very excited to be out amongst the boys and the new players in this team."
Glenn remains a member of the Broncos leadership group and admitted that he was shocked by Thaiday's sudden decision to relinquish the captaincy. In 2011 a then 22-year-old Glenn became the youngest captain in Broncos history but says he is fully supportive of the new structure under co-captains Corey Parker and Justin Hodges.
"I was very surprised when Sam came out and told us the big news. He was a bit upset and we were all very shocked but in saying that the leadership group that we have in this club is very strong and we back each other no matter what," he said. "What had to be done was done and we're supporting both the two new captains and Sammy as well.
"We're always going to be there for Sammy, it's not like he's just dropped off the captaincy and got the boot, he's still got a big role."
