RUGBY LEAGUE: After one year with the 2015 premiership winning Whitsunday Brahmans Tim Bennett has secured a contract to play with the Mackay Cutters in 2017.

Bennett left a successful two year stint playing for Newcastle team the Curri Curri Bulldogs and before that played for four years in France.

After winning the minor premiership with the Brahmans this year Bennett has been picked to start with the Cutters and has already begun the pre-season with the Mackay club.

"It's pretty surprising after playing one season (with the Brahmans) and they wanted me. I didn't expect it, I didn't come up here having a goal to play with the Cutters, I just wanted to come up and see what its going to be like," he said.

"To have this opportunity is pretty cool. I am happy about it and it will be exciting to see what the season holds for me."

Bennett plays centre but says he feels comfortable playing lock or in the back row.

Growing up playing junior football for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Bennett said the ultimate goal was to play in the NRL.

Now a bit older Bennet emphasised the importance of building a career outside the game.

"Football isn't everything...I can only play the game for so long and after that I need something to fall back onto," he said.

"I am lucky enough to work and try to find a career up here because I don't want to go back to Sydney any time soon."

Currently Bennett works as a personal trainer at the Fitness Venue in Cannonvale.

Though even now Bennett said if the opportunity arose to play in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys he would "take it with both hands".

Playing alongside David Kay and Isaac Richardson who made the Cutters pre-season last year and again this year has enabled Bennett to forge strong connections with his new team mates.

"The boys have been very friendly and very welcoming, there is a good culture at the club at the moment. There is no little cliques and everyone is together. You just feel like you have been there from day one," he said.

Bennett was humble when talking about his selection in the Cutters' team next year and said "I wouldn't say that i was ever a very good player, I just get out there and do what the team requires me to do".