Origin great and former NRL star Ben Hannant lines up for Burleigh Bears in InTrust Super Cup

DUAL NRL premiership winner Ben Hannant has made a successful return to football, helping lead the Burleigh Bears to a second straight win that has put them on the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder.

DUAL NRL premiership winner Ben Hannant has made a successful return to football, helping lead the Burleigh Bears to a second straight win that has put them on the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder.

Hannant came off the bench and play in the front row for the Bears during their Round 2 25-12 win over the Redcliffe Dolphins at Pizzey Park on Saturday.

He replaced the suspended Matt White.

Ben Hannant will line up for Burleigh today. Pics Adam Head

Burleigh CEO Damian Driscoll said Hannant had been training with the club for six weeks and was eager to give back to grassroots football.

“He played his juniors here as well as at Mudgeeraba and he is coaching our under-16s team as well,” Driscoll said.

“He wanted to put back in to this level of football. He was looking to play and that’s where the opportunity came up.

Ben Hannant in action for the Cowboys. Picture: Evan Morgan

Hannant won premierships with Brisbane and North Queensland during a 245-game career that also included five State of Origin series wins with Queensland.

Sami Sauluma put Burleigh up by four in the second minute before Redcliffe responded through Jonus Pearson not long after with the converted try putting the Dolphins up 6-4.

Tyrone Davis and Dallas Wells found the line for Burleigh and with just one try in response before the end of the first half, the Bears took a 20-12 lead in to the break.

Burleigh’s Kurtis Rowe managed to add any more points for either side as the Bears secured a second win to continue their strong start to the season.