Hannay shuns big bucks
Steele Taylor



Josh Hannay thrived at the Cowboys for 150 games to become their top point-scorer while earning a couple of Queensland caps in the process.

Prized signing Josh Hannay will earn a pittance at the Mackay Cutters next season as they try to bury the demons of a horror 2009. The star recruit, who hails from Moranbah, confirmed yesterday he will play for nothing but match payments at the club which collected the
wooden spoon this year.

The 29-year-old returned to the region recently after a stint in the United Kingdom with Super League club Celtic Crusaders. In a refreshing move, Hannay turned his back on the option of pursuing a lucrative deal in the NRL and will instead help foster rugby league in his home district with the STM Cutters.

“I never wanted to come back here and break the bank,” the former North Queensland Cowboys and State of Origin centre said. “My father and brother have done some good work with rugby league here and I guess I just want to continue that ... (and) I’ve always wanted
to come back and play footy here. I never really got to. I left for Townsville when I was 15.”

Indeed, Hannay was plucked from Moranbah at an early age and was plugged as one of the hottest prospects to be enlisted by the Cowboys. He bloomed at the club for 150 games to become their top point-scorer while earning a couple of Queensland caps in the process.

And after an overseas stint with the Crusaders, Hannay felt the time was right to return to where it all started.

He’s now working on the coalfields and travels to Mackay once or twice a week to train with the Cutters. “I never came back here looking to earn a buck,” he said of the Cutters move.
“I’m on a good wage in the mines but it’s fair to say it’s probably not what I could be earning at an NRL club.” His charity has allowed the Cutters to spend more freely on the rest of the club’s roster.
“I suppose me not earning as much at the Cutters has allowed them to get a few good players so we will have a strong squad next year and that’s what it’s about,” Hannay said.

Hannay had a knee arthroscopy in November and said he will be fighting fit by the time the season rolls around. “I can ride a bike and swim,” he said. “I’m not running yet – it’s about the only thing I can’t do.” Hannay said he will be committed to working at the mines on some weekends but should be able to swap shifts with co-workers to ensure he is available for many Cutters’ matches.
He was also hopeful of playing “a handful” of games with Moranbah during the season.

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Good on him, Very good attitude. Hannay was a very under-rated player, could deliver in defence could goal-kick and could attack at times.

He was always a favourite player of mine, I hope he comes back to the NRL one day.

Also on a side note, I swear Simon Katich and Josh Hannay were seperated at birth.

hahaha at the Katich thing, but good on him hope he comes back too....loved the way he played