Shaun Fensom still sees a place for himself in Brisbane's best side despite the wealth of emerging NRL forwards he's found himself competing with for a spot.
The former Canberra and North Queensland enforcer will run out for the Broncos for the first time in Saturday's trial game against Queensland Cup outfit Wynnum Manly.
The 30-year-old will share front row duties with the highly-rated 19-year-old Payne Haas, while David Fifita, Tevita Pangai and Alex Glenn will fill the backrow.
Fellow veteran Sam Tagataese is on the bench for Brisbane alongside exciting pair Thomas Flegler and Patrick Carrigan, while Matt Gillett is set to return from injury next weekend.
Fensom says the hype around the young members of the squad is justified, but with Sam Thaiday's retirement and Josh McGuire's move north thinks he still has a role to play under new coach Anthony Seibold.
"I've had a strong back end to the preseason and will be looking to secure a spot (by playing well in the trial game)," he said.
"(I'll do) whatever the coach wants coming off the bench (during the regular season); I'm there to fill a variety of roles and play whatever needs to be played.
"I wouldn't uproot my family and move around the country if I wasn't serious ... I take this very seriously."
A noted hard man of the NRL, Fensom said Seibold's high-octane approach to pre-season sat well with him.
"Some days are longer, some are shorter; it's quite intense and very upbeat," he said.
"There's competition for all spots and the more (competition) we have the better."
Australian Associated Press
