Reborn big Ben a Bears bonus

NRL premiership winner Ben Hannant is set to play on in 2019 – and he is plotting to up his game for what will be his rugby league swansong.

After retiring at the end of 2016 and having 12 months off, the rejuvenated former Queensland and Australia prop has dusted off the boots to return to the field for Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup.

After being set back early by a hamstring complaint, he has played three games off the bench for the ladder-leading Bears, who are chasing their second title in three years.

Hannant, though, readily admits footy is not his primary focus outside of working for Gold Coast radio station Sea FM.

“I am actually heading over to Germany to do the Roth Challenge (in July) with Matty Rogers for the maxing out challenge which we are doing,” he told the Bulletin.

“I am heading over there and doing a full iron distance triathlon – 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and then a 42.2km run.

“It’s hard because I am focusing on that but while I am getting fit I am having some fun doing footy. Once I am finished this maxing out challenge, then I will give footy a red-hot crack.”

Bears coach Jimmy Lenihan admitted Hannant’s extreme training workload meant they had to be cautious with their demands on him.

But once the 33-year-old turns his full attention to footy, Burleigh will be the big winners.

“This year at the moment my priority is Roth Challenge,” Hannant said.

“Because I was getting fit for that and helping out coaching the under-16s here at Burleigh, I thought let’s chuck the boots on and have a bit of fun.

“Realistically, next year I might focus on one last year of playing some decent footy.

“It works so well, I finish work and I am home by 10am, so why not?”

Hannant has enjoyed reuniting with the club he played for as a junior.

“I came here in under-14s and we won the comp all the way through to 18s,” Hannant recalled.

“My sons all play here and this level is good fun. It’s just great to be around a good bunch of boys and having my kids on the hill watching and just enjoying what this great game is.

“That’s why I am doing it because I love the game, my kids love it, and it’s great to be able to share it with them.

“I’m having a ball.”