Former State of Origin forward Ben Hannant has survived "11 hours of absolute punishment" and will make himself available for the Burleigh Bears in their run towards the Intrust Super Cup finals.
Hannant, 33, made a comeback for the Bears earlier this season and played four games which were interrupted by injury.
His last match in the Intrust Super Cup was May 19, coming after he had 18 months away from rugby league after finishing up with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Since then he has competed in the 'Maxing Out' challenge, competing in a German Ironman that comprised a 3.8km swim, 42.2km run and 180km bike ride.
And just this week he was suckered into completing a media dare to lose 10kg in a week to show off his abdominal muscles.
"You could say my job is a bit different to some others in footy," radio commentator Hannant laughed.
"I made a statement a year ago that I'd have abs by this time of year.
"All I've been eating is white fish and broccoli and dehydrating myself, so once this is all over I'll be under 95kg and I'll need to put weight back on for footy."
Hannant's lowest weight in the last month was 92kg, immediately after he finished the Challenge Roth.
The former Australian and Queensland forward likes to play rugby league at around 108kg.
"I wouldn't say I'm determined to be back in the Burleigh side before the finals, but I'm confident that If they still want me, I'll be doing my best and you're a fair chance of seeing me in the coming weeks," Hannant said.
"I just love the game of rugby league and I want to give back to the game.
"Playing the way I have this year has been so enjoyable.
"It's for the reasons you played as a kid – enjoyment, camaraderie and just a love of the sport itself.
"I've probably enjoyed it more since I've retired from the NRL than when it was my job."
Hannant said the reason for his hamstring issues early in the year was his training schedule for the Challenge Roth.
He would run 20km and swim 5km before attending training.
"You can't do that and expect to go out and sprint and have power on a football field," he said.
"You can't have both."
The 'Maxing Out' documentary will be released shortly, with funds and awareness raised for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Others to compete the challenge alongside Hannant were fellow former Maroon Mat Rogers and his partner, TV personality Chloe Maxwell, along with radio star and former Norths Devils player Ashley Bradnam.
Hannant revealed that he completed the challenge after "more than 11 hours of absolute punishment", having torn his calf substantially 10 days before the event.
"I finished it in the same time I had aimed for when fully fit, so I was pleased from that perspective," Hannant said.
"Finishing it was as good a high as playing a grand final in the NRL.
"It was tough and there was so much I learnt.
"In that environment, you're only letting yourself down if you choose to stop."
Burleigh is currently third on the Intrust Super Cup ladder, with 11 teams jostling for the top six.
