Also posted this article in the Brittain thread as it mentions Billy Brittain. (text highlighted in article)
McCullough exit would free up $400k — here are the THREE ways Broncos could spend it
The release of Andrew McCullough could have major ramifications.
Andrew McCullough was not required to turn up to Broncos training on Thursday morning with his career at Brisbane seemingly reaching its end.
The headache for coach Kevin Walters though has just begun.
Walters revealed on Thursday that McCullough had been given time away from Broncos duties to mull over his future as he considers a move to rivals St. George Illawarra.
While insisting Brisbane do not want to see him go, Walters said they were only willing to offer McCullough a one-year deal before re-evaluating his long-term future at the club.
“Andrew as everyone knows has had an offer from a rival club so we’ve decided to let him sort himself out,” Walters said to reporters.
“We want a clear direction with our club and where we’re heading in the next few weeks and into round one so we’ve given Andrew a couple of days off to sort himself out and see where he wants to play for 2021 and beyond
“We’ve offered him for this year, we want to see him come back and play and play the way Andrew McCullough can and I’m sure his future will be bright when he can do that.”
The Dragons, on the other hand, are understood to have put a three-year offer on the table.
With McCullough’s exit seemingly nearing, the focus will then move towards who the Broncos could use his money to go after.
News Corp reports Brisbane will have $400,000 of free salary cap space if McCullough leaves as expected, having already paid him $200,000 over the past four months.
Issac Luke is one option to replace McCullough, with reports suggesting he could be pushed into the top 30 while Danny Levi has signed with Queensland Cup side North Devils and is another alternative.
Nathan Peats is also off-contract and looking for a new club while Cameron Smith’s future is also up in the air but $400,000 of cap space won’t do it, not that anyone knows if Smith would even consider joining Brisbane in the first place.
Internally there are options in both Jake Turpin and Cory Paix.
Given Brisbane are unlikely to contend for the premiership with their current line-up and with both Levi and Peats yet to establish themselves as consistent 80-minute players, a one-year deal is the most likely option.
It would give them an incentive to perform as well as remain consistent with the approach they were taking with McCullough.
Another option could be trying to convince Dragon Billy Brittain to move to Brisbane and fight for the starting spot, with his road to first grade seemingly blocked for the next three years if McCullough shifts to the Red V.
Brittain has not been given many chances to prove himself in NRL but was a standout in the lower grades, finishing 2019 as Canterbury Cup Player of the Year for Souths.
He finished that season ranked third in the competition for try-assists (15), second for line-break assists, (17), first for dummy-half runs (161), second for tackles (784) and produced the most receipts (2052).
Then Brisbane could turn their attention to long-term options next season, including Melbourne’s Brandon Smith if they had enough money.
The money though could also prove valuable in locking up centre Kotoni Staggs.
Fox League’s James Hooper reported in late January that Staggs would assess his options in the open market, with the 22-year old likely to cost rivals more than $700,000 per season.
It then
emerged on Thursday that the Titans, Bulldogs and Eels are circling.
“Kotoni was probably the Broncos best player last season and we certainly see him as being a crucial part of our future plans at Brisbane,” Walters said at the time.
“We understand players may want to test their value on the market but we’re also very confident with what the Broncos can offer as a club.”
Brisbane have also been linked to luring over Walters’ son Billy and would not have to use all the money but the Tigers are resistant to releasing him.
https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/ap...s/news-story/54fc884e9ffd6072e7a31fc122c9059b
