Hampton helped Cowboys rope in McLean

North Queensland utility Ben Hampton has proven just how versatile he is by revealing how he convinced Melbourne prop Jordan McLean to move to Townsville next NRL season.

The former Storm roommates will go head to head when the Cowboys meet the minor premiers in Sunday’s NRL grand final in Sydney.

They will then reunite over the summer after Hampton played a major role in luring McLean to the Cowboys on a three-year deal earlier this year.

His signing is considered a replacement for former front-rower James Tamou, strengthening a grand final side that will also add injured pair Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.

“As you would, he asked me a few questions about the club and all I said was that the Cowboys have got a lot of similarities to Melbourne,” Hampton told AAP.

“Both clubs have a really good culture, great players, the coaching staff is first class, thorough, and you train hard. I just explained that to Macca.”

Hampton said there had been plenty of banter between the pair long before the Cowboys booked their place in the decider with a preliminary final win over the Sydney Roosters.

And he doesn’t expect the ripostes to end in the lead-up to the big game.

“I’m really close to Jordan, we lived together for about 4-5 years there down in Melbourne. We’ve been giving each other a bit of banter through the last week,” Hamptons aid.

“I’d say there’d be more coming this week.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll have his eyes on me in the game at some point. I’ll have to try and rush up on him and get him before he starts getting those big legs going.”

After arriving at the Storm as a junior when he was 17, Hampton spent eight years in Melbourne but was keen on a return closer to his home of Mareeba this year.

He credited the Storm for helping establish himself in the NRL, including a career-high 24 games as the Cowboys’ utility this season.

“I’m still very privileged with the chance I got to play in Melbourne,” Hampton said.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!