Andrew McCullough joins Dragons after being released by Broncos

With Andrew McCullough on his way to St George Illawarra, the Broncos are set to give the next generation of hookers - headlined by Jake Turpin - an extended run.

Jake Turpin is set to become Brisbane’s No.9 for the 2021 season after Andrew McCullough signed with the Dragons on a three-year deal.

McCullough’s short stopover in Brisbane for the pre-season came to an end on Monday, after joining the Dragons until the end of the 2023 season.

The 31-year-old returned and trained with the Broncos for the entire 2021 pre-season following his stint at Newcastle last year but will play instead in the Red V during the upcoming season.

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Jake Turpin is in the box seat to take over as Broncos hooker.

He has teamed up with his former coach Anthony Griffin and comes just days following the season-ending knee injury to club captain and dummy half Cameron McInnes last Friday.

McCullough has been at loggerheads with the Broncos over the past few weeks but was on Monday granted a release from his 2021 contract, effective immediately, to make the move down to the Dragons.

The move has freed up valuable cash at Red Hill and has also opened the door for Turpin to take over the Broncos No.9 jersey once again, with Cory Paix and Issac Luke also in contention for the hooking role.

Broncos teammate Patrick Carrigan said McCullough had been a huge influence on the younger players at the club.

“It is sad to see him go,” Carrigan said.

“As a young kid, when we came in, Macca was someone who was at the forefront of his career at the Broncos and really took us under his wing.

“He probably doesn’t get a lot of credit for the things he does behind the scenes for the club and the support he gives to us.

“I’m super excited for his future at the Dragons.

“The Newcastle guys were sad to see him leave there as we are.

Andrew McCullough is heading to Sydney to join the Dragons.

“I’m super stoked for him and his family and wish him all the best.”

Broncos boss Paul White also thanked McCullough for his services at the Brisbane club.

“Macca has always been well respected by his fellow players and staff, and favourite with our members and fans,” said White.

“It is sad to see him depart Brisbane, but he will always have a special place here at the club.

“We wish Andrew and Carlie all the best in what will be a new and exciting opportunity for them.”

Locked in: Dragons finally get their man

The Andrew McCullough saga is finally over, with the veteran Brisbane hooker joining St George Illawarra until at least the end of the 2023 season.

McCullough, 31, is a timely signing for the Dragons following the season-ending knee injury to club captain Cameron McInnes on Friday.

McCullough will reunite with new Dragons coach Anthony Griffin, who he played under at the Broncos.

“It’s no secret that we have been interested in Andrew McCullough for a while now and we’re pleased to see him finally sign with the Dragons,” general manager of football Ben Haran said.

“Signing a player of Andrew’s calibre will no doubt inject plenty of experience into our team and wider squad while his style of play will complement the development of the exciting young talent we have here at the Dragons.”

How shattered McInnes aims to help Dragons cause

Cameron McInnes has vowed to put everything into helping the Dragons have a successful year as he deals with his own heartbreak of missing the season.

McInnes was left shattered when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on Friday while completing a defensive drill he had “done a million times”.

But this time the result left him needing surgery and facing the reality he has played his last game for the Dragons.

Cameron McInnes heads in for knee surgery next week and will miss the season.

“When I went down I knew straight away I did something,” McInnes told News Corp.

“I was hopeful it might have just been the medial but when I had the test it wasn’t good.

“I had to lunge or move away from my body and my foot must’ve got stuck in the ground. I’ve been in plenty worse positions trying to make a tackle and nothing has happened. This time my body didn’t like the movement I did.

“My first thought was to get the ice on it and what I need to do next. Over the next few days, weeks and months it’ll sink in more. I don’t think too far ahead. It’s how I am.”

Watching on from the sidelines is not how McInnes envisaged his four-year stint at the Dragons ending. He is booked for surgery on Wednesday and left the door ajar for an unlikely return should the Dragons push deep into the finals.

While playing again for St George Illawarra remains a long shot, McInnes remains committed.

He found himself apologising to officials and teammates when he suffered the injury.

McInnes is set to take up a four-year deal with the Sharks in 2022.

“Because I take my role at the club really seriously,” McInnes said.

“I’m a contracted player and I’m paid to play footy. If I’m not playing footy for the whole season, I feel bad about it. My teammates rely on me like I rely on them. To not be able to go out there will be tough. I love playing footy and I feel a great responsibility as a footy player.

“I owe more than I am owed. Wherever I can I will help the club and be a positive influence around the group. It’s the least I can do. The club has been so good to me.

“There is a really good next generation of players coming through. I can be a good role model for them. Chances are someone in the organisation – and you don’t want to put a curse on anyone – but someone will go through this as well. I want to show them the best way to deal with it.”

The silver lining for McInnes is his four-year commitment with the Sharks. Cronulla remain committed to the 27-year-old who said a host of NRL rivals had reached out to wish him well.

“Everything happens for a reason,” McInnes said.

“The fact I signed the contract last week is a positive for myself. There are some arguments about a transfer period. It’s a tough sport we play. To limit the ability of a player to secure their future to just one month in a season is tough when things like this happen.

McInnes won’t get a chance to further his Blues aspirations this year.

“Next year is next year. For now it’s about paying the Dragons back.”

While Andrew McCullough will replace McInnes in the no. 9 jersey, the lock role remains totally up for grabs. The Dragons and the Broncos were on Saturday finalising paperwork on McCullough’s three-year deal which will enable him to meet his new teammates this week.

Rookie half Jayden Sullivan said McInnes’ impact on the group has been immense.

“My first year in grade I was only 17 and I didn’t have a license so Cam used to pick me up and drive me to training every day, even though he didn’t have to be at training until nine and I’d start at six,” Sullivan said.

Originally published as Andrew McCullough joins Dragons after being released by Broncos