Hannant lets his footy do the talking - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hannant lets his footy do the talking

By Steve Jancetic 06/04/2010 08:13:13 PM Comments (0)

Canterbury prop Ben Hannant has offered up 208 metres and 51 tackles as proof he won't let his desire to return to Queensland affect his performances with the Bulldogs.

Hannant was a lone ranger as the Bulldogs succumbed meekly to South Sydney on Monday night, the NRL premiership heavyweights thumped 38-16 to sit on just one win after the opening four rounds of the competition.

Critics questioned Hannant's commitment to the Bulldogs' cause after he went public a fortnight ago with his desire for a release from the last year of his contract in 2011 to move his family back to their Gold Coast property.

But while negotiations remain at a standstill with both Gold Coast and Brisbane reportedly baulking at the Test prop's $450,000-a-season asking price, Hannant has done his best to get the Bulldogs' season back on track - as his marathon 78-minute effort against the Bunnies attests.

"I don't care what people think any more, my teammates know how committed I am and nothing changes," Hannant said.

"I've always been honest from the get-go to the team and to my family so nothing changes for me - I love this club and I'll just continue to go forward.

"I take pride in the way I play footy - I'm part of a team and I'll always give my best no matter what for the team.

"I haven't felt like I have to go out there and do something different to what I do every week.

"I try and be consistent every week - it's got nothing to do with my off-field stuff at the moment.

"It's not a distraction at all - for me the No.1 priority has always been my family."

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore was just as adamant.

"I thought Ben Hannant was outstanding - the numbers that he delivered for us (against South Sydney)," he said.

"Anyone that wants to question his commitment to the club, the last two weeks has certainly thrown that right out the window."

Hannant claimed his lift in metres and tackles had more to do with the dearth of front row options, which got a little thinner on Monday night when Jarrad Hickey went down after five minutes with a bruised lung.

Hickey was named to play against the Warriors on Saturday but remains in extreme doubt.

"We're a bit light in the front row so it just means I get to play extra minutes - normally I play around 50 but I played about 70 this week," Hannant said.

"The more game time, I get through a bit more work I guess, nothing really changes."

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