McHunt
International Rep
Contributor
- Aug 25, 2018
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Robert Craddock feels for the much maligned Andrew McCullough in The Courier-Mail.
Craddock points out that amidst speculation the job he's tied down almost since the Broncos last won a premiership is being wrenched from his reach, McCullough has barely uttered a word. Let alone a protest.
Some wonder if the Broncos can learn to lose without him.
He posits the long silence might be because Macca could do without the distractions - in contrast to the circus surrounding his co-maligned former captain. It's no surprise he predicts Jake Turpin will steal his number 9, as Cory Paix pushes his claim to the bench.
He describes Andrew as providing a "steady pulse" rather than a "burst of late electricity" making him less suited as an impact player, but that he will just have to make the most of what he can get. And then reflects that:
"players can fade quickly in the ruthless world of rugby league but the Broncos will lose more than just a player when McCullough goes."
That's because Macca has been more than just the ball-feeding talisman of the worst drought in Broncos history, he also played host to emerging superstars Xavier Coates and Tom Dearden:"
"Between occasionally scaring them with a crazy mask, he showed mentoring skills which are becoming a fading force in our frantic world. Rugby league teams just don’t seem the same unless they have a few country boys with a touch of bush larrikinism about them. Like a comedian with a poker face, Dalby-raised McCullough keeps his best work well hidden but his younger years included an occasional playful phone call to an opposition coach, who now claims he has a genuine soft spot for McCullough."
Against near universal condemnation of Macca's underwhelming ballplay, he counters:
"Turpin may be faster and flashier but, in a wobbly spine which has every player on trial, McCullough’s 258-game pedigree cannot be discarded without due consideration. McCullough seems like he is nearing the end of his career but he is only 30 – six years younger than Cameron Smith. The Broncos may be stacked with forwards who could knock over a palm tree and shed tackles like a horse’s tail swishes flies, but can they do the defensive work without their most reliable tackler?"
Meanwhile, Macca continues as he always has: staying late after training to put in extras. The consummate professional. Saving nothing for the swim back.
McHunt
Craddock points out that amidst speculation the job he's tied down almost since the Broncos last won a premiership is being wrenched from his reach, McCullough has barely uttered a word. Let alone a protest.
Some wonder if the Broncos can learn to lose without him.
He posits the long silence might be because Macca could do without the distractions - in contrast to the circus surrounding his co-maligned former captain. It's no surprise he predicts Jake Turpin will steal his number 9, as Cory Paix pushes his claim to the bench.
He describes Andrew as providing a "steady pulse" rather than a "burst of late electricity" making him less suited as an impact player, but that he will just have to make the most of what he can get. And then reflects that:
"players can fade quickly in the ruthless world of rugby league but the Broncos will lose more than just a player when McCullough goes."
That's because Macca has been more than just the ball-feeding talisman of the worst drought in Broncos history, he also played host to emerging superstars Xavier Coates and Tom Dearden:"
"Between occasionally scaring them with a crazy mask, he showed mentoring skills which are becoming a fading force in our frantic world. Rugby league teams just don’t seem the same unless they have a few country boys with a touch of bush larrikinism about them. Like a comedian with a poker face, Dalby-raised McCullough keeps his best work well hidden but his younger years included an occasional playful phone call to an opposition coach, who now claims he has a genuine soft spot for McCullough."
Against near universal condemnation of Macca's underwhelming ballplay, he counters:
"Turpin may be faster and flashier but, in a wobbly spine which has every player on trial, McCullough’s 258-game pedigree cannot be discarded without due consideration. McCullough seems like he is nearing the end of his career but he is only 30 – six years younger than Cameron Smith. The Broncos may be stacked with forwards who could knock over a palm tree and shed tackles like a horse’s tail swishes flies, but can they do the defensive work without their most reliable tackler?"
Meanwhile, Macca continues as he always has: staying late after training to put in extras. The consummate professional. Saving nothing for the swim back.
McHunt
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