McCullough won’t watch Broncos’ return
DESPITE spending 17 years at Brisbane, Andrew McCullough will go cold turkey on the Broncos when they run out on Thursday night against Parramatta to restart the NRL season.
But the former Queensland State of Origin hooker insists that’s because his focus is solely on Newcastle after leaving Red Hill on good terms.
A veteran of 260 games for the Broncos, signed to the club at age 13, McCullough made the switch last week to Newcastle.
He is expected to start on Sunday against Penrith as the
Knights’ new No.9 – after Jayden Brailey’s season-ending injury – but when it comes to the Broncos’ clash with the Eels on Thursday night, McCullough says it’s unlikely he’ll be tuning in.
“I probably won’t – just more so to keep myself away from football and to keep all my energy here with the Knights,” McCullough said.
“I love those boys there – they have been tremendous for me.
“I obviously wish them all the best, but my focus is all on the Knights and I just want to make sure I do everything I can to make sure I get the best result on Sunday.”
McCullough was playing Origin just two seasons ago, but his minutes at the Broncos were reduced last year before Jake Turpin claimed the No.9 jersey from him in 2020.
It took him just days to link with Newcastle once the move was put forward on a deal for this year only with an option for next season.
“You get a gut feeling when someone asks you a question and something felt right,” he said. “With the team environment and the players here, it just ticked the box.”