Young Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough wants to lighten the load on halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace this season by calling some of the big plays himself.

McCullough claimed a quirky place in NRL record books last year as the first of the 1990-born crop, which includes Jamal Idris (45 games), Josh Dugan (39) and Kieran Foran (32), to play 50 first grade games.

Now he feels he's ready to step into the spotlight - even at the expense of his skipper Lockyer.

"Taking on more responsibility is something (coach) Ivan (Henjak) has spoken to me about," said McCullough, who turned 21 last month.

"I want to help out the halves a lot more with some kicking and other things rather than just hand it off to Darren or Pete.

"They've given me a bit more rein along with Ivan."

The Dalby junior and former Australian Schoolboy said he felt more comfortable not having to go to Lockyer all the time, especially if he saw an opportunity.

"(Lockyer) is really good about that kind of thing if you see something going on," said McCullough.

"Those blokes are good like that, they don't get up if you do something in the game and it doesn't come off.

"It takes the pressure off them and it's also good for my game."

McCullough, who played his 50th NRL game against Canberra in Brisbane's last game of 2010, has some goals this year - the main one to be more consistent.

After a season in which he was named Brisbane's rookie of the year against an outstanding crop of young players, McCullough played well again in 2010.

But, by his own admission, he lacked the consistency that turns a good year into a great year.

"I need a big year," he admitted.

"I had an all right year in '09 (when he was club rookie of the year) but was a bit inconsistent last year. I'd play a good game and then be down on form the next week.

"That's something I need to get right this year and I think I've been doing everything right at training so far to prepare me."

McCullough will have a well-balanced pack around him this season offering him plenty of options out of dummy half.

Brisbane's front-row stocks are looking as good as they have for some years.

New buy Ben Hannant and State of Origin and Test star Sam Thaiday look the starting props but there is excellent depth and back-up from Josh McGuire, Nick Kenny, Mitchell Dodds, Scott Tronc, Scott Anderson and young hopeful David Hala.

Competition for starting back-row spots is very earnest, prompting some good natured sledging at training between Ben T'eo, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker who will provide strike power on the edges.

"There's a few blokes vying for a couple of spots in the forwards so it gets a bit willing out there at times," said McCullough.

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