HESS TO BE UNLEASHED

Hulk’s bid to become the Cowboys’ wrecking ball

COEN Hess 2.0 is ready to be unleashed on the NRL.

After a quiet year in 2019, Hess swapped the heavy weights in the off-season for a rolling mat and rigorous stretching routine in a bid to get back to his menacing best.

He’s consciously slimmed down, dropping 6kg from his hulking frame, in a bid to become an 80-minute wrecking ball.

“I probably just had a bit of a different focus this year,” Hess said of his off-season.

“In the past I tried to lift as much as I possibly could, but at the end of the day we’re not judged on how many weights we can lift out on the NRL field.

“So I’ve just been trying to build on things that I think will help my game, and I think that’s being mobile.

“Whether that’s extra stretching or what not instead of lifting as much as I can.”

The 23-year-old said he also stripped back his diet in the off-season, cutting sugar where he could in order to fuel his body with a more wholesome diet.

He’s hoping the adjustments equate to a reborn Hess.

“Hopefully I can play 80 minutes and be playing at the same intensity in the first minute and the 80th,” he said.

“That’s something I’ve struggled with over my time. I can start the game off pretty well and when fatigue starts setting in I can ease out. I’m trying to be an 80 minute player.”

After five-straight appearances for the Maroons following his debut in 2017, the backrower wasn’t selected by Kevin Walters last year after a lull in his performances.

Hess said he was intent on firing from the opening round for the Cowboys to force Walters’ hand.

“I think that’s what Kevvie is looking for and to be doing what I was doing when I first got picked. I’ve got to run the ball hard, defend well and have those little effort areas that the fans might not see but your teammates really appreciate.

“That’s what I was doing when I got selected and what’s going to get me back.”

Having been widely praised for his work over the summer, Hess has been around long enough now to know talk counts for little.

“It’s nice to know the playing group here are giving you some praise, so that’s what I’m most proud about,” he said.