Mbye in mix for hooking duties after 'warrior' McCullough retires

Moses Mbye paid tribute to his former teammate Andrew McCullough as a “warrior of the game” after the veteran hooker announced he will be hanging up the boots on a stellar 14-year career.

The Dragons announced on Friday morning that McCullough had retired, effective immediately, despite one year remaining on his deal, to move home to Queensland and prepare for life after football with his young family. 

Hailing from Dalby, in Queensland’s west, 32-year-old McCullough made his NRL debut with the Broncos where he played 260 NRL games, before moving to Newcastle (eight games) and finishing his career with the Dragons (36).

Despite spending only two seasons donning the Red V, the 309-game veteran made a big impact on his fellow Dragon comrades.

“Just yesterday, Macca got on the Zoom call and notified us all. It was an emotional day,” Dragons utility Moses Mbye told NRL.com on Friday.

“There’s not many people who have played with Macca who wouldn’t agree that he’s one of the best teammates you can play alongside.

“He’s had a very impressive career, donning the maroon jersey a handful of times, he’s played in grand finals and over 300 games across three different clubs.

He’s the ultimate professional and the ultimate warrior and servant to the game.

Dragons utility Moses Mbye on Andrew McCullough

Arguably one of the greatest tacklers in the NRL, McCullough made 12,701 tackles throughout his career, averaging 41.24 tackles per game.

Also lining up against the Maroons representative numerous times throughout his career, former Wests Tiger Mbye said McCullough was “a benchmark number nine” throughout his career.

“I got to play against him when we were both at different clubs and he’s always been a benchmark number nine of the competition,” Mbye said. “He wouldn’t be the benchmark if he wasn’t who he was and how he goes about his business.”

“I could talk about it him all day but I’d just like to say a huge congratulations to Macca and his family.”

McCullough’s departure could pave the way for the Dragons coach Anthony Griffin to use former Wests Tigers hooker, Jacob Liddle, in the No. 9 role after he signed with the Dragons for 2023.

With St George set to open their 2023 campaign against the Titans in round 2, Mbye is also expected to be in the mix for hooking duties in the early stages of the season.

“I’m here just to do a role and fulfil wherever I’m needed. I plugged a few holes last year at fullback, at hooker and played a bit in the outside backs as well so wherever I’m needed Hook (Griffin) will let me know,” Mbye said.

“I’ve obviously got a little bit of experience in the No. 9 role and if I get called upon to fulfil that role then I will definitely do it.

“We’ve got a new recruit in Jacob Liddle who has come over from the Wests Tigers who I’ve been fortunate enough to play and train with for a number of years and he’s a quality nine as well.”

With Mbye and Liddle playing together between 2018 and 2021 at Wests Tigers, the 29-year-old Dragons utility welcomed any healthy competition towards the race for the No. 9 position.