After losing Jayden Brailey for the NRL season, Newcastle have secured a major coup by signing Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough for 2020.
Eyebrows were raised when McCullough was not present at Broncos training on Thursday but when asked why he was missing coach Anthony Seibold said it was due to a “personal issue”.
However, hours later the Knights made the shock announcement that they had secured the ex-Queensland No.9 for the rest of 2020 after the off contract rake secured a Broncos release.
Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said the 30-year-old McCullough would help them cope with the loss of Brailey who went down with a serious knee injury in the second round.
Chris Randall and Connor Watson had been duelling for the vacant Knights No.9 jersey but O’Brien said 260-gamer McCullough’s experience was too hard to pass up.
“We have faith in the depth of our roster but also recognise that promising talent Chris Randall is on the start of his journey having joined the team as a train and trial player late last year,” he said.
“Connor Watson is another exceptional player who can fill the role at nine but given his versatility it’s important for the make-up of the team to keep him in his current explosive role.
“Taking a holistic approach to the team, the recruitment of Andrew McCullough gives us valuable experience at the highest level.”
McCullough had fallen down the pecking order at the Broncos behind Jake Turpin this year but was still expected to play a key role off the bench in what was his 13th season for Brisbane.
But McCullough – who had been in the Broncos system since he was 13 – has jumped at a starting chance with Newcastle.
Not that the Broncos gave much away when quizzed why McCullough had not attended Thursday training.
“Macca has got a personal issue that he is dealing with so we have given him today off so there’s no injury or anything like that,” Seibold said.
Brisbane later said in a statement they had given McCullough an immediate release with their blessing.
“We wish Andrew and Carlie all the best in what will be a new and exciting opportunity for them,” said Brisbane CEO Paul White in a statement.
“He has been a favourite son of the Broncos for a long period of time and has always been so well respected by his fellow players and staff.
“It is a sad day for the Broncos to see him depart Brisbane, but he will always be welcome back here at the club.”
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Yep. And a kind of ordinary run since then too. He’s not the sort of player that relies on speed and footwork though. So not sure how much that contributed. He just sort of lost his knack. He had at least one bad concussion recently that I can remember. You never know the effects of that.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I would like to see them pick up Quade Cooper for a season though.
Nat
Roar Guru
I believe it is just the remainder of the year. I've read no reports of an extention at Newy.
Adam
Roar Guru
Was the knee in 2017? Hasn't seemed the same since
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Well, now he’s had a taste of international football, fullback (outstanding performance said Coach Woolf) with the current best team in the world, it’s ISP at the Broncos and a promise, or NRL on double the salary with Mal or any of half a dozen other clubs kicking his managers door down..
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’ve always rated McCullough and think he’s been underrated for a lot of his career He’s tapered off a bit over the last season and a bit...hopefully a change of scene and some new team mates will give him a boost Any idea how long they’ve signed him for? What happens in 2021 when Brailey comes back...?
Nat
Roar Guru
Left centre is now the main problem. for about 10yrs now. Reed is the last half decent left center they had but like Moga could not find his winger. I was impressed with Isaako in his first 2 games. He was much better than his trial form offered. You think Te'o will come? I had read that but didn't put much faith in it. Watch Bennett swoop in to make it 6 Broncos in his Pride of Sydney team. Tesi Nui is a tough one. IMO he could have used a year in ISP to harden up a little. Whether they can keep him knowing they have Herbie, Coates, Arthars, Kahu (likely ISP) & Oates. Bird also wants the FB but I would say L-center is his for his final year in Boyds departure. There is also Vudogo, who is probably quicker than all of them.
Nat
Roar Guru
Stand in Capt when required but only 2x (?) by my memory. Glenn usually had first dibs after Boyd, Parker/Hodges, Sammy, Locky eras.
Nat
Roar Guru
I checked his stats last night and they are reasonably good across the board. The Knights faithful hold him up, so yeah, maybe it's just us who haven't seen enoug Knights to see what they are.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Broncos are going to need that $500 k (well 300 hopefully Broncos are helping the Knights here) and more if they intend to proritize Nui..Mal’s already sniffing around and he’ll need to cough up big overs.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
The Broncos are certainly letting a lot of experience go. He’s not the fastest hooker in the game, but will be a good mentor for the young Knights. Wasn’t he the Broncos captain at some point?
Larry1950
Guest
Proves my point, even better outcome for the Broncos.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Every Queensland hooker is a journeyman in the Cameron Smith era. None of them have the opportunity to play at representative level.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
McCullough was on $500k.
Yawn
Guest
Journeyman.
Larry1950
Guest
Good move for McCullough & the Broncos, writing was on the wall when the NRL ok'd the use of the development players before July after the shutdown. Paix was likely to get macca's spot anyway, has more pace & can cover the halves so it's just been done early. Macca's $350-400k with a 2021 option is now off the books & will help lock up Fifita. Might get Te'o for a song for the rest of the season & expect Nui to take over from Isaako at fullback before the season ends. Glenn must now be the sole survivor of that gun U20 side that was going to win a few premierships but they never really made it. Not many survivors from the Bennett era left now, Seibold seems to be getting his own squad with Boyd going next. Left centre is now the main problem unless Bird can get back on the field. He'll be good for the Knights with Pierce, Ponga & Hoy as the rest of the spine, he can do the 50 tackles needed.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Had “Bronco for life” written all over him only a couple seasons ago. Can’t help but feel disappointed with what could have been. Looked to be a walk up start for the QLD No.9 when Cam Smith retired from rep footy. But that came one season too late and by the time he got the chance it was a quick downhill slide. Good luck to him. Hope he’s able to rediscover a bit of his old form with the Knights.
Muzz
Guest
Wow I'm shocked. What a carn't of a climate change. Chooks/Robbo was very interested. Good luck brother.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
He seemed to have been in and out of the side sporadically under Brown. I’ll admit I haven’t watched the knights religiously but from what I have watched of them and EseEse, I can’t imagine form was the major factor. I’d have to guess there just wasn’t room for him in Browns 17.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm a Macca fan but this is probably best for him. Let's be honest, Turpin had shown more and Macca isn't the impact #14 teams use these days. It's hard to carry him and an outside back on the bench now Glenn, Joey O and Lodge back then TPJ in a few weeks. He'll likely get a few more years at Newcastle and good luck him.