Bali postponed: McCullough’s Maroons reward well earned

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When Andrew McCullough got the call to make his Queensland debut he was on his way out of the country for a holiday. 

Cameron Smith’s retirement from the rep footy scene on the cusp of the 2018 State of Origin series was unexpected and McCullough was getting ready for a trip to Bali with his wife as the Broncos had the bye in round 13 during Origin. 

When coach Kevin Walters rang with the good news, McCullough was more than happy to postpone his plans.   

“I knew I wasn’t playing club footy so myself and my partner had booked to go to Bali to get away for a few nights,” McCullough recalled. 

“The phone rang and it was Kev. He asked what I was doing and I said if was packing bags for Bali. He said, ‘you better unpack and come into Origin camp’.  

“There were a lot of emotions. It was relief that my opportunity finally came to fruition. If it didn’t happen, that was just what the big fella upstairs wanted me to do. 

“I just remember cold winter’s Wednesday nights with the late Origin kick-offs and trying to hang on a bit later as a kid. The 1995 series is my first recollection of Origin with Fatty Vautin’s team and the Brett Dallas try in game three. NSW had all the stars but we were able to get the job done.  

Macca felt like the MacGill of Rugby League 

McCullough became FOG#194 at the age of 28 and with 225 NRL games for Brisbane under his belt. He’d made it. For a long while there had been a barrier in his way. He was not alone. 

In the opening 111 Origin matches played between 1980 and 2017, Smith played 42 of them.  

He played 42 of 43 from game three of 2003 until the end of 2017. Only Matt Ballin got a look in when the Maroons maestro was injured in Game One of 2010. 

McCullough was one of several top notch NRL rakes who didn’t get an Origin callup during that period but he’s not bitter. McCullough was a bit like former Australia legspinner Stuart MacGill in some respects, stuck behind Shane Warne. 

“That’s life. That’s part of the sports environment,” he said. 

“Some guys roll into first grade early like myself. That was timing and opportunity. I started first grade at a young age whereas others are later because they are stuck behind someone or don’t develop until later on.  

“I had a different path to Origin. I thought 2014 through to 2017 were probably my best years and I didn’t get a shot. It came in 2018. I don’t begrudge it. Why would you change a team when you are winning? I understand that.  

“There were plenty of other guys in the same position. There was Jake Friend and Matt Ballin as well. 

“Stuart MacGill stands out in another code. I could have been the Stuart MacGill of the rugby league world.” 

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Tackling machine does Maroons proud 

McCullough roomed with Billy Slater ahead of his first match but the newly installed skipper was forced to pull out late with a hamstring injury. It was the first of several issues the Maroons had with disrupted camps in 2018.  Greg Inglis became captain. 

McCullough topped the tackle count in the opening two matches of the series with 50 and 49 tackles respectively. The Maroons were ahead in both games, 12-8 and then 10-0, but errors or penalties enabled NSW to get ahead and win both matches and the series. Queensland won 18-12 in the final clash of the series at Suncorp Stadium but it was an opportunity lost.  

“You talk about moments and we didn’t nail a couple of them,” McCullough recalled. 

“Game Two was where we really missed our opportunity.  That’s Origin. Game Three was at Suncorp and we nailed it.” 

McCullough had done the job he had been selected for.  

“Everyone may not agree about style and attributes but I cannot be something for someone else. My attributes are my defence, clean service, kick the ball well and communicate,” he said. 

“That is what I prided myself on. If you tick those boxes you are going to go pretty well. If they wanted me to get out fast from dummy half … good luck … because it’s not going to happen. You can preach that all you want but you’ve got to play to your strengths.  

In the third game he shared the hooking duties with his great Broncos teammate Ben Hunt, who went on to transition into a regular role as a No.14. 

“It was good fun. It’s funny how footy works sometimes,” McCullough said. 

“We had played together since 2002 when we were in under 12s. There was a real enjoyment factor for us. Playing alongside someone you are friends with is pretty cool. 

McCullough had made a remarkable recovery to play round one of 2018, just seven months after surgery for an ACL rupture suffered in July of 2017. 

The 2019 season ended at the Broncos with a 59-0 thrashing by Parramatta and McCullough had played his last game for the club where he debuted. 

“The best thing I did was go to Newcastle in 2020. Before I injured a hamstring I played some really good football and got out of my comfort zone,” he said.  

Macca answers Queensland SOS 

McCullough had two strong seasons at St George Illawarra and was rewarded with a final Origin callup in 2021 after Harry Grant was injured ahead of the second game of the series. 

NSW won 50-6 in Game One and an SOS went out for McCullough for the second match of the series in Brisbane. 

“Result-wise it was not to be (in a 26-0 loss) but I thought I played one of my better games,” he said. 

“It was during COVID and it was a weird one because a few days out they found out Ronaldo Mulitalo wasn’t qualified for Queensland.  

“I can’t say any of my camps were overly smooth. I only played four Origin games but I am just grateful that I did get the opportunity.” 

Back at the Broncos as a mentor for youth 

Post-football McCullough has a found a niche back at the Broncos helping young men fulfil their potential. He also works in radio but it is helping the next generation that is a priority. 

“I enjoy it because I want guys to succeed in different ways and build up a bit of resilience through hard work. You see setbacks along the way but you want to see kids get through that and reach their goal one day and have that feeling I had.  

“Some will get there quick, some will miss out but you give them tools to succeed in footy and life after it because that is when it can really counts regardless of how famous you are or how much money you have.”