State of Origin Game 3

Dip wrote:

Probably Friend, though chances are the bench utility becomes someone like a Jake Glanville, James Segeyaro type of attacking halfback (or whoever is the best player in that role in 2018, 2019 or whenever that might be). The way Smith is going, retirement might still be some time away and his successor might be the next Cam Smith and not even have played first grade yet.

McCullough is under-rated by everyone except Broncos supporters. A large part of our mid season slump is due to him being missing through injury.

While of course all options are a step down from Smith, you've got to remember that when he retires, in all likelihood Farah and Ennis are retired to, and at the moment there is just as big a gap to Nathan Peats, Mitch Rein or whoever is NSW best option. Sometimes also rep football can be the making of a player.

Funny thing about hookers, the role evolves so much over time. Steve Walters was universally regarded as the best hooker ever. Then he retired and almost immediately Buderus was universally regarded the best hooker ever. Then Smith became universally acknowledged as the best hooker ever. Maybe that's coincidence. If not, whoever Australia's next long term hooker is will be one hell of a player.

Dip wrote:

Funny thing about hookers, the role evolves so much over time. Steve Walters was universally regarded as the best hooker ever. Then he retired and almost immediately Buderus was universally regarded the best hooker ever. Then Smith became universally acknowledged as the best hooker ever. Maybe that's coincidence. If not, whoever Australia's next long term hooker is will be one hell of a player.

Pieman wrote:

Yeah this is a good point.
To be considered a good hooker these days you need to have an excellent kicking game, you need to be able to control the ruck speed, you need to have a good running game, passing game, play 80, get through 40 tackles, coach the side, manipulate the refs and generally be the smartest person on the field.

Its no longer enough to just have a great passing game, be able to dart every now and then and to tackle ur dick off, which is what 90% of hookers are.

If someone like Peats played 15 years ago, he would be regarded as the best hooker in the game. Tough as nails, relatively handy player, great passing game, kicking game.

Personally, I just dont see it with McCullough. I mean, hes a serviceable hooker dont get me wrong, but I just dont see the excellence in him that others do.

Ice wrote:

I still think McCullough has a lot of development in him, no question, and he is lucky that he is in a stacked Broncos side and always will be, and that is why he will be the next Qld hooker.  He is miles off Smith, will never come close to him, and he is behind Ennis, Farah, Peats, Hodgson, Luke and Friend but he is in a perfect position to inherit Smiths 9 and will continue to improve from there if he stays healthy.  As someone else mentioned, he is crucial to the cohesiveness of the Brisbane attack.

dasherhalo wrote:I've never rated him that highly, P-man. What' I've come to realise and appreciate this/last season, though, is how well we've crafted a forwards plan that basically centres around McCullough. We don't have a big forward pack, so we need a hooker that makes 50 tackles a game.

That aspect of his game is more important to the Broncos game plan than other areas of his game. I thought we were nuts letting Granville (now a premiership-winner) and Parcell (QRL champion) go, but I think he's a good fit for our game plan *right now*. We came within 10 seconds of winning the entire show last year, so....

It'd would have been a luxury to have a Granville come off the bench, but that wasn't sustainable long term.

I'd have Cam Smith in a heart beat. I'd have Peats

You can keep Friend / Ennis / Farah - too old. Never liked Luke, but rate him. Hodgson could be a good thing though. Of the lot, I reckon I'd rather have Parcell back

Pieman wrote:Fair enough!

IMO - he is similar to jake friend. Just a serviceable hooker who is a pass mark every week.
Makes a lot of tackles but has very little in attack. Friend prob has more in attack than him IMO.

Ice wrote:

Interestingly, Friend and McCullough are born only 2 days apart. Andrew being the elder and the first person born in the 90's to play first grade footy.

McCullough scores tries at an ever so slight increase per game than Friend. But would be interesting to see their try/line break assist and line break/tackle bust stats.  I know who'd be leading the forward pass from Dummy half stat though.....My gosh McC gets away with more than any rake ive ever seen .