Brisbane back-rower Alex Glenn has fought off younger rivals to effectively secure his starting spot for the Broncos’ NRL season opener.

Glenn scored a hat-trick as Brisbane wrapped up their pre-season with a come-from-behind 25-22 win over Gold Coast in Robina on Saturday.

The 31-year-old’s efforts mean he’s all but certain to pip David Fifita and Jaydn Su’A to a starting role for the Broncos against Melbourne on March 14.

“The pre-season that he’s had and the performance he put in tonight commands a spot on that left edge,” coach Anthony Seibold said.

“I was really pleased with him … he’s set himself up for a good season.”

Fellow Brisbane veteran Matt Gillett made his return from the neck and shoulder injuries which ruined his 2018 with a solid, if unspectacular display at lock.

Whether the 30-year-old stays in the No.13 jersey against the Storm or joins Glenn in the back-row remains up for debate.

“The big thing was just coming back, getting the jersey on and competing,” Seibold said of Gillett.

“It was fair old hit-out for Gillo and that’s all that we want him to do.

“Have a look and see where we play him in round one.”

The Titans looked set for a big win heading into round one, racing to a first-half 18-0 lead on the back of an opener to winger Brenko Lee and a double by New Zealand international Kevin Proctor.

The Broncos however scored four unanswered tries either side of halftime, with Glenn and ex-Rabbitoh Richie Kennar putting the visitors in front.

Two of Glenn’s tries came from inside runs on to Kodi Nikorima short balls, while he combined with five-eighth Sean O’Sullivan for his other four-pointer.

A field goal by Jayden Isaako secured the win before a consolation try in the dying seconds to Jesse Arthars wrapped up the scoring.

Titans coach Garth Brennan said letting such a large lead slip should prove a wake-up call going into their round-one clash against Canberra.

“It was a little bit of Titans of old I suppose, the fact that we got comfortable and then we stopped doing what got us in that position in the first place,” Brennan said.

“That mantra that close enough’s not good enough is a little bit that we’ve got to start building into our club.

“(In) years gone by, Titans would have come off and said ‘well that’s great, four tries each, we competed’ but we want to win.”