Veteran Cowboys forward Glenn Hall claims age is no barrier as he pledges to continue his push for another contract into at least 2015.
At 33 years of age Hall said that it "would have to be something pretty special" to lure him away from North Queensland as he looks to forward to filling a void in the absence of departing enforcers Ashton and Tariq Sims next year.
"Hundred per cent I can go again next year. I'm 33, but it's only a number. People ask me what I have been thinking about regarding my future and doubt whether the body can hold up, and I think it's a load of s***, really," Hall told NRL.com, who has signed one-year deals in each of his past two seasons.
"I love playing footy; I started playing footy when I was four years old. It's what I love to do and I still love it. And when that love for coming here every day and learning and trying to get better leaves me, I will stop playing. But I'm very keen on being here at the moment; I would definitely love to be at the Cowboys next year."
Named to start at lock against the Sharks on Friday night, Hall paid homage to the Sims brothers, saying he has seen first-hand the impact both have had on the younger troops coming through the ranks and says it's a void he himself will need to help fill.
"You can't easily replace them as people. Ashton is super enthusiastic every day, every training session he comes to," Hall said. "He has a great personality and he’s always full of energy and he brings it every session.
"He’s a bit of a larrikin sometimes but when we need to do some hard work he’s the first to roll up the sleeves and get the job done. I actually live four houses down the road from Ashton and their kids and our wives get on really well so I’m just really looking at spending a good few weeks with them, doing what we do best which is play footy.
"Ashton started at a very young age and he's tough between the ears. We'll lose a lot of leadership with his seniority, his experience and enthusiasm. Same with Tariq.
"The younger fellas coming through probably look up to 'Taz' (Tariq) as a leader now and he as well as Ashton are super enthusiastic and super energetic and we will definitely miss that.
"As to who we can replace them with, anything is possible. I haven't even looked at the market, but I know our young blokes are champing at the bit to step up with more responsibility."
A Sydney native who has played for four clubs in the NSW capital, Hall says he cannot imagine a better place to raise his young family than where he is currently.
"I love the club, the football and the culture here. The fans, the lifestyle and the weather is fantastic for my family," he said.
"I love going home to Sydney and seeing everyone. I bleed blue, so the last couple of weeks have been nice, but the traffic gets me. I love where we grew up and we still have all our mates who live in the same old neighbourhoods but it’s the traffic that gets me, I just can’t deal with it. I pull my hair out when we go to Sydney sometimes."
