THE Cowboys have emerged as shock frontrunners to secure off-contract Broncos prop Ben Hannant.

With Hannant’s future at the Broncos looking bleaker by the day, the Cowboys have moved to lure the former Queensland and Test prop to Townsville.

While the Titans and Dragons have been consistently linked with Hannant, the Cowboys are the surprise silent threat.

North Queensland coach Paul Green already has Test duo Matt Scott and James Tamou and is keen to add Hannant to create a formidable front-row rotation.

media_camera Ben Hannant in action against the Broncos.

Green has expressed interest through Hannant’s manager George Mimis. The Cowboys have yet to table a formal offer, but the departure of the Sims brothers, Ashton and Tariq, has given the club the financial muscle to sign a well-credentialed forward.

Hannant is facing a massive pay cut of around $300,000 to remain at the Broncos next season, a scenario that has put their Queensland rivals in the box seat.

On Tuesday night Mimis declined to name the three clubs chasing Hannant but was confident the prop would be in the NRL next season.

“There’s a number of options for Ben at the moment,” Mimis said. “When coaches chop and change late in the year, rosters do as well, so there’s a couple of openings for Ben.

“We aren’t rushing things at the moment but it’s nice to know Ben has some interest.’’

Asked if Hannant would be at the Broncos next season, Mimis said: “Less likely than likely, but stranger things have happened.’’

Alarm bells rang for Hannant on Monday when he was the only current member of the Broncos squad not invited for a meet-and-greet with incoming coach Wayne Bennett.

media_camera Ben Hannant during a Broncos training session.

Hannant was entitled to attend given he is employed by Brisbane until November 1. It is understood Bennett wanted Hannant on deck next season, but was severely hampered by salary cap pressures after the signing of Anthony Milford, Mitch Garbutt and, potentially, Darius Boyd.

Hannant’s market value has dipped after a frustrating season under former coach Anthony Griffin, but at 29 his experience and work rate would be assets supporting Scott and Tamou.

The former Test prop yesterday maintained his Broncos career was not over.

“I’m under the impression Wayne wants me so fingers crossed,’’ he said.

“I’ll know more in the next two weeks. I’m hoping to stay, they want me there, but they spent money elsewhere so they’re trying to make room.

“Wayne knows my intentions. I want to stay and he made it clear he wants me there so they have to go back and try and make it work (in the salary cap).

“There’s no need for me to be there (at the meeting) if I’m not signed for next season.

“There’s interest from overseas as well but I’d prefer to stay in the NRL.’’