Cowboys can only get better, Ben Hannant warns NRL rivals

THE man known as the Polar Bear has sent a chilling warning to NRL rivals: North Queensland can get even better.

North Queensland Cowboys against Brisbane Broncos at Mackay Stadium. Cowboys Ben Hannant. Picture: Evan Morgan

THE man known as the Polar Bear has sent a chilling warning to the NRL: the Cowboys can get even better.

North Queensland put premiers Souths to the sword in Sydney on Monday night with an emphatic second half display that showcased why the club was considered a premiership contender before a ball was kicked in anger.

Former Test and Origin prop Ben Hannant said North Queensland were only getting started.

Hannant will mark his 200th NRL game when the Cowboys host the Warriors, while skipper Johnathan Thurston will celebrate his 250th first-grade outing.

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Hannant is set for a personal milestone against the Warriors.

After three losses to open their campaign, the Cowboys are riding high with a hat-trick of wins over top-eight teams from last season.

Hannant said the Cowboys only had the foot to the floor for 60 minutes against the Bunnies and had plenty of petrol left in the tank.

“We are starting to build combinations, playing great footy but we’ve still got a long way to go,’’ he said.

“We’ve gone through the video and found a lot of stuff we need to improve.

“If we do that then you are going to see the Cowboys build into an even better team.

“When you complete at 80 to 90 per cent and you are physical in defence and winning the ruck, you are going to win games.

“The second half performance against the reigning premiers, they are not a small side, just goes to show that we can do it but unfortunately we haven’t been able to do it for 80 minutes yet this season.’’

Hannant said celebrating a milestone on the same night as the club’s inspirational skipper would only make the occasion more special.

After making his first grade debut for the Roosters in Round 4, 2005, the Gold Coast product had seven seasons with the Broncos in two separate stints (2006-2008 and 2011-14) with two years at Canterbury (2009-10).

The Cowboys threw the 30-year-old veteran of 12 Origins and six Tests a lifeline and he is revelling playing in a monster pack servicing the game’s best player.

“I rate JT as one of the best players to ever lace a boot,’’ Hannant said.

“From a young kid that was just hoping to play one (game), I’m very excited that I’ll be able to play a part in 200 NRL games.

“I’m really enjoying my time up here. We are travelling pretty well.

“It’s a good place to be at the moment at the Cowboys, a lot better than the first three rounds.’’

Hannant said the Cowboys needed to be aggressive in both defence and attack to keep a lid on the Warriors today.

“The little one percenters are the main thing but doing that with aggression. If you let them get a sniff or get there confidence up, they’ll run all over you,’’ he said.