Brisbane Broncos 2021: Andrew McCullough addresses exile from the club

Andrew McCullough has spoken for the first time since arriving back at Red Hill, detailing his messy exit from the club under Anthony Seibold.

Andrew McCullough ripped his hamstring off the bone last season. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Andrew McCullough has opened up about his return to Red Hill and wasted no time in warning his teammates “no spot is a given” after their abysmal 2020 season.

The former Maroons hooker is back training with the Broncos after packing his bags for Newcastle mid-season to chase the opportunity of being a starting No.9 after playing second fiddle to Jake Turpin.

The split sparked concerns about the direction former coach Anthony Seibold was taking the club, with the former mentor even admitting after the fact that he “regretted” letting McCullough go.

Andrew McCullough back at Red Hill. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In his first press conference since rejoining Red Hill, the 30-year-old McCullough addressed whether he felt “unwanted” by the club earlier in the year.

“I don’t know about unwanted,” McCullough said.

“What I thought could have been different to what the coaching staff and above were thinking.

“If I just played some decent footy, it was always going to work out well for me regardless.

“Everyone’s got their own ideas of what type of player they want here or what direction they want to go.

“If I wasn’t part of that, then that’s fine.

Andrew McCullough ripped his hamstring off the bone last season. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

“I’m old enough to realise I’m not going to be everyone’s type of player they want.”

Ironically, McCullough and Seibold have since traded places over the 2020 off-season, with the former Brisbane mentor now in a consultancy role at Newcastle.

“It’s funny how everything works out the way it’s meant to be or what it should be,” McCullough said of the swap.

“Last year, I never would have thought I would go down to the Knights.

“You just never know what’s around the corner.

“I’m just at that age where I just like training, turning up and enjoy what I do for a living.”

Now back at his former club, McCullough is on a mission to spark some happiness back into the club both on and off the field.

Andrew McCullough and Matt Lodge at Red Hill. Picture: Annette Dew

The 268-gamer revealed he had the backing of new head coach Kevin Walters ahead of their 2021 campaign, but warned his teammates nothing was a given after the year they had.

“Kev wants me here so that’s a big tick when the boss wants me here,” McCullough said.

“I just want to come back, train hard, do my bit and hopefully pull this team in the right direction after a disappointing year.

“After the year, I don’t think anyone is given the right to be given any jersey.

“If you come last and win three games, every player is on notice.

“There’s no handouts here and nor should there be.”