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Lining up against Ben Hannant in Saturday night’s NRL trial in Mackay will be “a bit weird”, according to old mate Josh McGuire.
But the Broncos prop reckons there was nothing out of the ordinary about Hannant’s off-season departure to rivals North Queensland.
McGuire will pack down with new recruit Adam Blair against his former teammate when Hannant makes his Cowboys debut in Mackay.
It will be one of several intriguing sub-plots to the opening game of 2015 for each team.
“It will be a bit weird to be honest,” McGuire said of taking on Hannant.
“I have never played against Benny.
“He’s a great friend of mine.
“I hope his future endeavours go well up there.
“But I’m just thinking about going up there and having a good trial myself, blowing out some cobwebs and playing some good footy.”
He also wasn’t thinking about any alterior motive to Hannant leaving Brisbane at the end of 2014.
The rumour mill went into overtime after ex-Test prop fell out of favour with then Broncos coach Anthony Griffin in mid-2014.
He then failed to secure a new deal upon Wayne Bennett’s arrival, sparking more speculation.
But McGuire tried to set the record straight.
“I am pretty sure Benny would have been kept if they could fit him into the salary cap – that was the issue,” he said.
“I don’t think it was a personal thing for Benny to leave the club.
“At the end of the day they couldn’t keep him and he went onto something different and that was good for his family.”
In contrast to Hannant, McGuire was snapped up until the end of the 2017 season after Bennett’s return.
However, McGuire still felt he needed to nail down a front row spot with the arrival of Blair, ex-Wests Tigers giant James Gavet and former Melbourne bruiser Mitch Garbutt.
And all while battling osteitis pubis.
New Zealand international Blair and Gavet will make their Broncos debuts this weekend.
“Every year you have to start again and earn your spot,” said McGuire who admitted he would have to keep battling through the pain barrier this year due to his ailment.
“It’s great to have the new guys here – they have brought something different.”
On Blair, McGuire added: “His resume speaks for itself.
“He’s a very experienced first grader and he adds a lot of flair with his ball skills and his offload.
“I am excited about packing down with Blairy.”
Besides their pack, Brisbane will also unveil their new-look halves – Ben Hunt and prized recruit Anthony Milford – in Mackay.
Brisbane have rested Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker and Jack Reed.
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