Andrew McCullough has vowed to win over Dragons fans after his move from Brisbane

“There are headlines and feuds that I don’t want to be part of,” says the Dragons’ controversial signing.

Andrew McCullough at Broncos training earlier this month before he accepted a deal to go to the Dragons Picture: Getty Images

Andrew McCullough spent weeks wrestling with his heart and his head. His head said take the security on offer at St George Illawarra under Anthony Griffin, a coach who knew him well and coveted his leadership. His heart kept reminding him how much he loved the Brisbane Broncos and the early days working under a new regime headed by Kevin Walters.

“That’s why it probably did linger for so long,” said McCullough, who will make his bow for the Dragons in a trial game on Thursday night.

Watch Live & On-Demand coverage of NRL pre-season trial matches on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial now & start streaming instantly >

“It wasn’t the Dragons’ or Broncos’ fault. It was up to me. They (Brisbane) weren’t trying to move me on. It was a hard one.

“It wasn’t like Kev wanted me to go – he wanted me to stay. I love that place, I love what they are doing and I love being around Alf (Allan Langer) and Kevvie.

“Also, I have spent time with Hook (Griffin) as well and I know what he is about, what he is trying to achieve.

“If I can be a part of that, and the security over the next three years, I jumped at it. It’s a new adventure.”

The Dragons first approached McCullough prior to Christmas. He was off contract at the end of 2021 at the Broncos and there was no promise of a new deal.

The Dragons put three years on the table and Griffin slowly but surely won over his man. The pair have known each other for more than a decade – Griffin was his under-20s coach at the Broncos, where one of his teammates was St George Illawarra half Ben Hunt.

“I have been friends with Ben since I was 12,” McCullough said.

“Little things like that – anyone is lying if they say that doesn’t help, having those people around you. Having my wife know his partner as well will help make the transition easier.

“It was a process and something that was quite difficult – the tussle between my head and my heart. It was difficult to say the least because I love that club, what it is about and what Kevvie is doing.

“Sometime you have to block that out and think not just about yourself, but about your family and the future.”

He also thought about Griffin and how much he enjoyed playing under him in the past.

“He is a straight shooter – everyone knows that,” McCullough said.

“I have known him for long enough that he can tell me what I am doing wrong and what I am doing right. There is no sugar coating, no games.

“I can be told straight. I know it is nothing personal if he gives me a bit of a mouthful. Having him as a coach made it a lot easier to make that call.”

His arrival didn’t come without controversy. As McCullough was weighing up the Dragons’ offer, popular St George Illawarra captain Cam McInnes was pondering his departure.

Dragons fans were up in arms when he announced he would join Cronulla at the end of the season, their angst only amplified when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament at training last week.

What got lost was that they were never a straight swap. McCullough’s arrival was meant to signal McInnes’ move to lock, the position he will play next year at the Sharks.

“I understand (McInnes) being a club favourite and how that may have looked,” McCullough said.

“Obviously people can be dirty. I don’t know the ins and outs – all I know is that Cam is respected around here and he should be.

“I think he has tried his arse off for the club. He is always there and always doing his best. I think the Sharks have done really well in getting him there.

“I would have really enjoyed playing with him. It wasn’t meant to be. If there was any way I can help him – I have been through that situation of ACLs, had that feeling of being in the team but not really.

“Certainly feel for him in that sense of how it is going to finish up. Being around here, everyone loves him.”

It was the same feeling McCullough felt when he was at the Broncos. He hopes that he can engender the same at the Dragons, a club with a rich history and a fanatical fan base.

“I got to the stage in my life where there is no bitterness any more,” McCullough said.

“I would rather get on with things and enjoy my time in rugby league. There are headlines and feuds that I don’t want to be part of.

“I just want to enjoy my footy and get on with it. My job is to get myself right, start the year well, compete and do my best.

“People can make their assumptions and judgments after that. I get pretty tired otherwise. I am excited – I want to rip in and do my best.”