Plenty of dollars await Kalyn Ponga.
But the North Queensland young gun will need plenty of sense to take the next step to NRL superstardom, Ben Hannant says.
At just 18, Ponga has inked a five-year, $3.6 million deal from 2018 with rivals Newcastle after playing just two NRL games.
It is believed to be the richest contract for a teenager in league's history.
The deal's money and expectation are enough to rattle any player, let alone a teenager.
But Hannant, 31, has offered advice to the NRL prodigy after drawing the curtain on his own 12-season career on Thursday, due to a chronic knee complaint.
The two-time premiership player said Ponga would not crumble under expectation if he found a good role model - just like he did.
Hannant made his NRL debut way back in 2005 for the Sydney Roosters but found direction rubbing shoulders with greats when he moved to Brisbane the next season.
"The world is at his feet," Hannant said of Ponga.
"For him it's about being around the right bunch of people - it's like doing your apprenticeship.
"For me I had (Brisbane's) Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva who I trained alongside every day.
"That made me the footy player I am today."
Ponga is set to see out his final year at North Queensland before linking up with the Knights in 2018 - a luxury not afforded Hannant.
Ex-Test prop Hannant pulled the pin on his career despite admitting he could have battled on and completed his 12-month 2017 deal that he had only signed three weeks ago.
"I could have kept going for another year, limped through and not been 100 per cent," Hannant said.
"But I don't think it is fair on myself or the team if I am not 100 per cent to start the season.
"I have been extremely blessed. I have loved every minute I have played this game.
"It is a sad day but I am excited about what is to come."
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