Brisbane Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough created history during Friday night's 13-12 win over the Canberra Raiders, becoming the youngest forward in the history of the game to reach the 200-game milestone.
In the process he became just the 12th player in Brisbane's 29-year history to post 200 first-grade games – an achievement in itself.
The 27-year-old celebrated his milestone in style, scoring a rare try with a superb dart across field from dummy half early in the second half.
It was only the 27th try of his NRL career, but it's his defence rather than his attack that has made him so valuable to the Broncos.
He showed that again against a huge Raiders forward pack, racking up a monstrous 61 tackles and 81 NRL Fantasy points.
It earned McCullough the man of the match award, with Brisbane's most consistent player finally receiving some of the accolades he has always deserved.
But the man of the moment was typically modest after the match, telling media he was just glad his team got the two points.
"We've had a tough first month. We just wanted to come here tonight and get the two points, and we managed to do that," McCullough said.
"It wasn't about my milestone or anything, I just wanted to win the game.
"In saying that, the milestone played on my mind a little bit this week.
"You look back after the win and think about how proud you are about reaching it. I get to do something I love for a living so I couldn't be happier.
"To get to 200 is very special to me. I just wanted to play my best for a great bunch of teammates and I feel I did that."
His coach Wayne Bennett has seen a lot of players come through the club but not many have left an impression on the master coach like McCullough has.
Bennett has almost reached 600 games in charge of the Broncos, but the high praise he reserves for McCullough suggests he holds his consistent rake in the highest echelon of players that he has coached at the club.
"Andrew has been one of our best players every game this season. He's been a wonderful player for the club throughout his whole career," Bennett said.
"Everyone knows he gives his best all the time and nothing changed on Friday night.
"I'm just pleased the boys could get the win and do it for him.
"They tell me he's the youngest forward to get to 200 games in the history of the game so that's some achievement."
