A rev-up from coach Anthony Griffin after a slip up off the field has turned young Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough's season and career around.

Things weren't looking too good for the 21-year-old Dalby product when he and another promising youngster Ben Hunt were dumped from first grade after being charged with public nuisance while out drinking in Brisbane in June.

McCullough had been struggling for consistency at the time, however when he and Hunt were reinstated to the top side, Griffin asked the hooker to involve himself more to ease the pressure on halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace.

"It seems like that," said McCullough when asked if he copped a kick in the pants over the incident.

"Everything happens for a reason and my form has been better, so that's a positive to come out of it."

McCullough is involving himself more out of dummy half and, in recent weeks, his scheming runs have helped get Brisbane's forwards across the advantage line.

"Hook (Griffin) rammed it into me that he wanted more enthusiasm and energy around the ruck," he said on Thursday.

"He wanted me to take the line on a bit more.

"He's been persistent with me and it's been a good turnaround with me and Benny (Hunt)."

McCullough has also found himself as the passing partner of skipper Lockyer who has not been happy with his recent form.

"It's a little routine, something small that can be significant for both him and myself in a game," explained McCullough when asked about the after-training extras with Lockyer.

"He wanted to (do it) a bit earlier when he felt his passing wasn't up to scratch - well not up to his standards anyway.

"We go and do a little bit. It might not seem much but, in the bigger scheme of things, it could add up to something bigger.

McCullough said Lockyer's willingness to still do extra work after achieving so much in the game was a lesson for every young player.

"That's why he's played the games anddone what he has in the game," he said.

"It shows anyone in the game who feels they've done something, you see Darren Lockyer doing extras, extra running or whatever, it demonstrated what type of bloke he is and what everyone of us should aspire to be."

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