McCullough wants Lockyer's role

[gUt]

Those of us who have always been McCullough fans take great delight in viewing this young champion's thirst for responsibility at the Broncos:

McCullough set to make the big calls
Posted February 4, 2011 15:10:00

Young Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough wants to lighten the load on halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace this season by calling some of the big plays himself.

McCullough claimed a quirky place in NRL record books last year as the first of the 1990-born crop, which includes Jamal Idris (45 games), Josh Dugan (39) and Kieran Foran (32), to play 50 first grade games.

Now he feels he's ready to step into the spotlight - even at the expense of his skipper Lockyer.

"Taking on more responsibility is something (coach) Ivan (Henjak) has spoken to me about," said McCullough, who turned 21 last month.

"I want to help out the halves a lot more with some kicking and other things rather than just hand it off to Darren or Pete.

"They've given me a bit more rein along with Ivan."

The Dalby junior and former Australian Schoolboy said he felt more comfortable not having to go to Lockyer all the time, especially if he saw an opportunity.

"(Lockyer) is really good about that kind of thing if you see something going on," said McCullough.

"Those blokes are good like that, they don't get up if you do something in the game and it doesn't come off.

"It takes the pressure off them and it's also good for my game."

McCullough, who played his 50th NRL game against Canberra in Brisbane's last game of 2010, has some goals this year - the main one to be more consistent.

After a season in which he was named Brisbane's rookie of the year against an outstanding crop of young players, McCullough played well again in 2010.

But, by his own admission, he lacked the consistency that turns a good year into a great year.

"I need a big year," he admitted.

"I had an all right year in '09 (when he was club rookie of the year) but was a bit inconsistent last year. I'd play a good game and then be down on form the next week.

"That's something I need to get right this year and I think I've been doing everything right at training so far to prepare me."

McCullough will have a well-balanced pack around him this season offering him plenty of options out of dummy half.

Brisbane's front-row stocks are looking as good as they have for some years.

New buy Ben Hannant and State of Origin and Test star Sam Thaiday look the starting props but there is excellent depth and back-up from Josh McGuire, Nick Kenny, Mitchell Dodds, Scott Tronc, Scott Anderson and young hopeful David Hala.

Competition for starting back-row spots is very earnest, prompting some good natured sledging at training between Ben T'eo, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker who will provide strike power on the edges.

"There's a few blokes vying for a couple of spots in the forwards so it gets a bit willing out there at times," said McCullough.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3130247.htm?site=sport&section=rugbyleague

Nice photo in this McCullough story too: Corey Parker hugging Nick Kenny with Michael Ennis in the background. League journalism is a disgrace in this country.

 

[Nashy]

Nice photo in this McCullough story too: Corey Parker hugging Nick Kenny with Michael Ennis in the background. Journalism is a disgrace in this country.

Fixed.

 

[gUt]

Plus there's this:

New buy Ben Hannant and State of Origin and Test star Sam Thaiday look the starting props but there is excellent depth and back-up from Josh McGuire, Nick Kenny, Mitchell Dodds, Scott Tronc, Scott Anderson and young hopeful David Hala.

 

[Coxy]

Plus there's this:

New buy Ben Hannant and State of Origin and Test star Sam Thaiday look the starting props but there is excellent depth and back-up from Josh McGuire, Nick Kenny, Mitchell Dodds, Scott Tronc, Scott Anderson and young hopeful David Hala.

Think Scott Tronc's a bit old to come out of retirement now.

 

[Nashy]

There is only one Scott.

 

[GCBRONCO]

There is only one Scott.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M36WeN4wKbo

:D

 

[Fozz]

Nice photo in this McCullough story too: Corey Parker hugging Nick Kenny with Michael Ennis in the background. League journalism is a disgrace in this country.

What are you talking about? That's clearly macca in the background in the crowd with the blue shirt.

 

[Coxy]

There is only one Scott.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M36WeN4wKbo

:D

I had forgotten just how good Corey's offload was for that try. He really would benefit being more bulky like back then.

 

[Scorchie]

Happy for McCullough to take responsibility, provided that doesn't mean he'll dummy ... again ... and again ... and again ... :!:

 

[Coxy]

Having a hooker that can create plays and spot an opportunity is vital to a team's make up. If McCollough can become a player like Cameron Smith (Even reach that sort of calibre) then our club will be in good hands for the future.

Absolutely. And McCullough has that potential. But he really does need to show some improvement this season. He was a bit stagnant last year with his development.

Certainly want to see a marked improvement in his dummyhalf play. I think it comes down to being decisive with the play he wants to do. Too often last year it was a case of the ball being played and he still didn't know what he was going to do with it.

That comes from experience. So I hope this year we see him start to get that right.