Ex-NRL prop Tookey runs for Qld council

Another rugby league cult figure is looking to enter politics with former NRL prop Mark Tookey running for a seat on the Logan City Council.

The former Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors front-rower has put his name forward as an independent candidate for the Loganlea division in the March 19 council election.

But Tookey says any comparisons to another former beefy prop, Senator Glenn Lazarus, are off the mark.

"That's a bit more hard-core politics, this is very local and grassroots," he told AAP.

Tookey, now 38, grew up in Logan, south of Brisbane, before his football career took him to NSW, New Zealand and England.

After retiring in 2006, he returned with wife Lisa to bring up their young family.

"I'm a proud, born and bred Logan local," he said.

"I went to school at Woodridge State Primary and High Schools and it's from this great place that I managed to earn a place in the NRL."

Tookey debuted for the South Queensland Crushers 20 years ago, becoming a crowd favourite for his barnstorming and direct running style.