OFFICIAL Broncos release Andrew McCullough

[upthebroncs]

With Newcastle's main hooker being injured it made sense for them to sign Macca for the year, but I don't think it's the right team for him either way. He'll help the defence, but in attack they just need someone who can get the ball to Pearce as quickly as possible and go for a nice run when there's an advantage.

The only way to remedy McCullough’s lack of attack is to have a quick hooker on the bench. Like we have done in the past at Broncos with Hunt, Granville, Parcell and Nikorima.

The Knights should probably use Connor Watson as that bench hooker. I don’t see him as a lock at all. Ideally he would be in the 6 though.

1. Ponga
6. Watson
7. Pearce
9. McCullough

Looks strong. I don’t really rate Mann as a long term option to partner Pearce.

 

[1910]

Would be interested to get your thoughts on where you think the Broncos are heading in regards to their long term hooker??

To me Turps looks a decent stop gap, but may have limitations in being that game breaking hooker from DH and to me has further to go around the ruck play (working the markers, etc.). In saying that his defense is extremely solid, his support play is always there and his service seems pretty good, but I think he needs a bit more to his game before he looks like the next long term hooker.

There also seems to be question marks on Paix (as he would probably be a manufactured hooker) and now you've stated some limitations in the development of Kobe Hetherington.

Given we have let Simpkin go to the Tigers (who was a highly rated junior)... I was wondering which direction you see the Broncos going for with their long term hooker??

We seem to have halves, fullbacks, outside backs and forwards coming through from everywhere, but hooker definitely appears to be a short coming in the squad and juniors coming through.

Bit unknown to be honest, Turpin I think can do a job but not sure he's going to do it for 8 years.

Then a huge gap to Paix and Hetherington, who I believe haven't been given a fair go in their quest or the club's quest to create a hooker. I've said that plenty of times.

Richards is determine to make Paix a hooker but if Turpin broke his leg today then I think the Broncos would be in serious trouble.

Hetherington was Norths captain, won a premiership and Queensland U20 hooker last year so he's not without a promising CV but I just get frustrated when he is playing lock or half.
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Do you think that's because of poor coaching / development, or do they have a bit of the Kurt Capewell's about them? (Decent in a lot of positions, but not elite in any)

I think he's a hooker and no I don't think it's poor coaching, just doing what is best for your team at the time I guess- Smith is allowed to do that but it doesn't really help the Broncos.

Now they're both at Souths I don't really get that. JB had to get Paix and Hetherington in the side round one and Hetherington played lock.

 

[1910]

When I saw the name I wondered, so I had to look it up. Solid pedigree for a hooker!

Twins too- Zac was going to make his debut for Jets round one but got ruled out on the Thursday.

 

[peter09]

Bit unknown to be honest, Turpin I think can do a job but not sure he's going to do it for 8 years.

Then a huge gap to Paix and Hetherington, who I believe haven't been given a fair go in their quest or the club's quest to create a hooker. I've said that plenty of times.

Richards is determine to make Paix a hooker but if Turpin broke his leg today then I think the Broncos would be in serious trouble.

Hetherington was Norths captain, won a premiership and Queensland U20 hooker last year so he's not without a promising CV but I just get frustrated when he is playing lock or half.
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I think he's a hooker and no I don't think it's poor coaching, just doing what is best for your team at the time I guess- Smith is allowed to do that but it doesn't really help the Broncos.

Now they're both at Souths I don't really get that. JB had to get Paix and Hetherington in the side round one and Hetherington played lock.

Mate maybe with Grant going too the tigers we could have a shot at getting young Simpkin back ?

 

[BroncsFan]

Bit unknown to be honest, Turpin I think can do a job but not sure he's going to do it for 8 years.

Then a huge gap to Paix and Hetherington, who I believe haven't been given a fair go in their quest or the club's quest to create a hooker. I've said that plenty of times.

Richards is determine to make Paix a hooker but if Turpin broke his leg today then I think the Broncos would be in serious trouble.

Hetherington was Norths captain, won a premiership and Queensland U20 hooker last year so he's not without a promising CV but I just get frustrated when he is playing lock or half.

Thanks 1910... would you consider Hetherington the better prospect out of him and Paix??

I think losing Macca does seriously dent our depth... like you say if we lose Turpin not just for a long injury, but any injury whatsoever, we are then reliant on Paix and some combination of Dearden, Hetherington or a backrower (Glenn, etc.) to make up the rest of the 80mins.

I'm sure we aren't the only club with a lack of depth at hooker, but we are seriously short now considering Paix wasn't even starting at hooker last year in ISC and was still being shuffled between hooker and halfback... it's a huge gamble to take especially when Macca has the option to return next year anyway.

 

[Kooly87]

Thoughts on Billy Brittain?

Captained NSW Residents in 2018 and 2019, and he was the NSW Cup player of the year in 2019. Souths released him to the Dragons this year but realistically he's just as unlikely to get even a Bench spot there as he was at Souths.

He's also a Brisbane/Queensland boy to boot?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Looks like McCullough is looking to sign a multi year deal with the Bulldogs after 2020, I don't think we will see a repeat of Kahu.

 

[upthebroncs]

Have Broncos fully released Segeyaro now?

I think Paix to hooker is like the reverse of how Cronk started his career. He was a 9 that got manufactured into a 7. It could work considering how quick Paix is.. I think Seibold compared him to Cook.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Further mentioned here about the Bulldogs deal

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Looks like McCullough is looking to sign a multi year deal with the Bulldogs after 2020, I don't think we will see a repeat of Kahu.

That's all you need to hear when it comes to the pathetic state of affairs at the Bulldogs, that they need to sign a proven bog average player like McC to a multi year deal.

 

[GCBRONCO]

That's all you need to hear when it comes to the pathetic state of affairs at the Bulldogs, that they need to sign a proven bog average player like McC to a multi year deal.

To be honest I thought it would be the Titans going all guns for him.

 

[Marsh]

Dean Pay - what top bloke. If I was the coach of a team who really struggled to score points, Andrew McCullough would also be my priority target to fix that problem. He will give them that spark they've really been missing. Well played, Bulldogs.

 

[Xzei]

considering two of their players were picking up school girls maybe it was more of a leadership signing?

 

[Marsh]

considering two of their players were picking up school girls maybe it was more of a leadership signing?

You could be right there. Not a lot of experience across their team. Either way, I'm happy for Macca and even happier for us if this comes through.

 

[GCBRONCO]

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That does at least make sense, as much as you want talent you also want a healthy culture to grow it with.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

The Kennel is not happy!

 

[I bleed Maroon]

The Kennel is not happy!

Heheheh yehehes

 

[Wolfie]

Bit unknown to be honest, Turpin I think can do a job but not sure he's going to do it for 8 years.

Then a huge gap to Paix and Hetherington, who I believe haven't been given a fair go in their quest or the club's quest to create a hooker. I've said that plenty of times.

Richards is determine to make Paix a hooker but if Turpin broke his leg today then I think the Broncos would be in serious trouble.

Hetherington was Norths captain, won a premiership and Queensland U20 hooker last year so he's not without a promising CV but I just get frustrated when he is playing lock or half.
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I think he's a hooker and no I don't think it's poor coaching, just doing what is best for your team at the time I guess- Smith is allowed to do that but it doesn't really help the Broncos.

Now they're both at Souths I don't really get that. JB had to get Paix and Hetherington in the side round one and Hetherington played lock.

Paix doesnt really want to be a hooker, so i wonder how much ultimately his heart is going to be in it. Like you said, there seems to be this push to turn him into a hooker, but unless he gets a fair bit of gametime there at NRL level ( most likely as a bench hooker ) i think he will push back against it eventually.