Darren Lockyer

Darren Lockyer

Lockyer playing for Australia at the 2008 World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Darren James Lockyer
Nickname	Locky
Born	24 March 1977 (1977-03-24) (age 34) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Five-eighth
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1995–11	Brisbane Broncos	355	122	341	21	1191
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1997	Queensland (SL)	2	0	1	0	2
1997	Australia (SL)	4	2	2	1	13
1998–11	Queensland	36	9	22	2	82
1998–11	Australia	59	35	31	2	200
2010–11	NRL All Stars	2	0	0	0	0
As of 22 November 2011
Source: RLP

Darren Lockyer (born 24 March 1977) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League (NRL) club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011. He played in 355 first-grade matches for the Broncos during that period, an Australian record. He also holds the records for the most matches and the most tries for the Australian national team.

Lockyer started his career as a fullback, but switched to five-eighth in 2004. He has played more games and scored more points for the Brisbane Broncos than any other player in the club's history. He is a multiple-premiership winner, a Clive Churchill Medallist and also became only the second player to have won the Golden Boot award twice.

Playing career

Early years

Lockyer was born in Brisbane. As a child, Lockyer played Australian rules football in Brisbane before his parents moved west to Wandoan, Queensland for 4 years then the family moved to Roma,^[1] both towns that had no local Aussie Rules clubs. Having started his senior rugby league football career in Roma, playing for the Cities Gladiators, Lockyer made his first grade debut with the Broncos from the bench as an eighteen-year-old five-eighth in a 60-14 thrashing of Parramatta in Round 13, 1995.^[2] He went on to win the club's rookie of the year award.

Fullback

Lockyer was moved permanently to fullback at the beginning of the Brisbane Broncos 1996 season. He first gained representative honours for Queensland the following season in the second Super League Tri-series match against New South Wales. Lockyer's try-scoring and goal-kicking ability made him the top point-scorer for the Broncos in 1997 and he went on to play in the club's Grand Final-winning team that year, kicking five goals from six attempts. At the end of the 1997 season Lockyer made his international debut when he was selected to play at fullback for Australia in all games of the three-test series against Great Britain in England.^[3] During the series, which was won by Australia, He kicked two goals and one field goal.

In the re-united 1998 NRL season Lockyer became the regular Queensland Maroons' fullback for the State of Origin and also made his debut for the Australian Rugby League team against New Zealand,^[4] as Kangaroo No. 661.^[5] He was again top point-scorer for Brisbane that year, smashing the club record of 193 for most points in a season by scoring 272. By this time, Lockyer's playing style in attack was already being likened to that of a five-eighth.^[6] He again played at fullback in the 1998 NRL Grand Final, kicking five goals from seven attempts in the Broncos' second consecutive premiership win.

Lockyer's goal-kicking duties at the Broncos were shifted to teammates Ben Walker and Michael De Vere in 1999. He did goal-kicking for Australia though, and was sin-binned in the Kangaroos' win against the Kiwis in the post season final of the 1999 Tri-nations.^[7]

In NRL season 2000, Lockyer won another premiership with Brisbane and was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for best and fairest player on the field in the Broncos' Grand Final win. Also in 2000 he received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league^[8] and played in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup-winning Kangaroos side, scoring a try in the final against New Zealand. By this time Lockyer was being called the best fullback in the world.^[9][10]

In March 2001, Lockyer was approached by the Australian Football League club Essendon to switch codes and offered a contract subsequent to a successful trial, however Lockyer chose to stay committed to rugby league.^[11] Later that year, following Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis' season-ending neck injury before the second game of the 2001 State of Origin series, the Maroons' captaincy was handed to Lockyer. In the third and deciding game of the series, Lockyer was named man-of-the-match, having scored two tries and kicked four goals to help Queensland to victory. At the end of the season he went on the 2001 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain.

Along with Lote Tuqiri and Chris Walker, Lockyer was the Broncos' top try-scorer in the 2002 season and won the club's player of the year award for both the 2002 and 2003 seasons. At the end of the 2003 NRL season, the retirement of Tallis from representative football meant that the Kangaroos captaincy was handed to Lockyer shortly before the 2003 Kangaroo tour. In addition he won the first of his Rugby League World Golden Boot Awards for the world's best international rugby league player that year.^[12]

Five-eighth

Lockyer gained some negative media attention at the start of the 2004 season when he made a careless joke about the Bulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function.^[13] Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.

Lockyer playing for the Broncos in 2004, his first year at five-eighth.

For the 2004 season, Broncos' coach Wayne Bennett moved Lockyer, then established as the world's best fullback, to the five-eighth position where he would get more opportunities with the ball in hand.^[14] The spot was left vacant by the retirement of Ben Ikin. Initially, the move was generally supported, due to Lockyer's standing as a playmaker and on-field leader. The Broncos fullback position he left vacated was taken by 17 year old Karmichael Hunt. Despite Lockyer's lack of experience in the halves, he successfully gained the five-eighth position for, and retained the captaincy of both the Queensland and Australian sides.^[15]

The world's greatest fullback is now the world's greatest five-eighth.

“

”

Phil Gould, 11 April 2004^[16]

Also in 2004, during a game for the Broncos, Lockyer took a hit to the throat which has caused damage to a small bone in his larynx. This has resulted in his unusually husky-sounding voice, which could be corrected with surgery that Lockyer has so far declined to undergo.^[17]

With Gorden Tallis' retirement at the end of the 2004 season, the Broncos' captaincy was passed onto Darren Lockyer in 2005. In 2005 Lockyer was also the Broncos' top point-scorer, however experienced rugby league commentators continued questioning Lockyer's value as a five-eighth during representative matches. He travelled with the Australian national team to Europe for the 2005 Tri-Nations but injured his foot at training and missed the last few games of the tournament,^[18] including Australia's loss to New Zealand in the final.

2006

After a poor start to the 2006 season following a 36–4 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1, several critics argued that Lockyer should either switch to fullback or lose his spot on both the Australian and Queensland squad. There were also rumours that Johnathan Thurston would be chosen as the Queensland five-eighth, with Scott Prince at halfback.

However, after the ANZAC Test, in which Lockyer scored two tries in Australia's 50–12 defeat of New Zealand, the critics eased off. Lockyer's performances in the five-eighth position improved greatly in the weeks leading up to Origin, resulting in his selection as five-eighth and Captain for Origin 1.

Lockyer underwent further criticism when the Maroons lost to the Blues 17–16 after a poor first half. His position was again debated, but strong performances against the Bulldogs and the Warriors resulted in his retention in the Queensland side. Queensland then made an impressive comeback in Origin 2, thumping the Blues 30–6 while Lockyer received the Man of the Match award. He was then responsible for sealing the series victory for Queensland in the deciding match. With Queensland down 14–10 with 5 minutes remaining, Lockyer intercepted a pass from NSW player Brett Hodgson and scored the match-winning try. It was Queensland's first outright series victory since 2001 and also stopped New South Wales' from achieving their 4th consecutive Origin series win. After the match, Lockyer received the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.

Lockyer in action for the Broncos

Immediately after Queensland's State of Origin success, the Broncos entered a 5-game losing streak, but bounced back to comfortably win their final three premiership games of the season. Despite losing to the St George Illawarra Dragons in the first week of the finals, the Broncos rebounded to defeat the Newcastle Knights 50–6. They then won the preliminary final against the Bulldogs 37–20 after trailing 20–6 at half-time, with Lockyer named man of the match.^[19] He then steered his team to win the 2006 Grand Final 15–8 over Melbourne, setting up both tries and then kicking a winning field goal in the 73rd minute.^[20] This was Lockyer's fourth premiership (first as captain), and the Broncos' sixth. Lockyer was also the Broncos' top try-scorer (together with Tame Tupou) for the 2006 season.

…can't play five-eighth, shouldn't be captain of Queensland – the list just goes on. Now you all want to applaud him. Thank God for him that he doesn't lose confidence and he is the champion he is.

“

”

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett at a press conference following the 2006 NRL Grand Final.^[21]

Lockyer then captained Australia to an extra-time victory in the 2006 Tri-nations final against New Zealand, scoring the match-winning try in Australia's 16–12 victory.^[22] In the process, he became the top try-scorer in Tri-Nations history with a tally of 9 tries.

In the week leading to the final, Lockyer was named the Golden Boot Award-winner for international player of the year for the second time.^[23] Lockyer was also named Dally M five-eighth and representative player of the year, the Broncos' best back, and people's choice player of the year, as well as being a finalist in the Queensland Sports Star of the Year award.

2006 was arguably Lockyer's finest ever season, as he'd become the first person since Allan Langer (a former teammate) to captain winning teams in the National Rugby League premiership, the State of Origin series, and the Tri-Nations series all in the same year.

2007

Prior to the NRL season the Broncos, under Lockyer, lost the 2007 World Club Challenge to St Helens. This remains the only major trophy to have eluded him (notwithstanding the Broncos' victory in the Super League World Club Championship tournament of 1997).

In round 1 of the 2007 NRL season, Lockyer injured his right ankle and was initially ruled out for 6 weeks. However, a fortnight later in Round 3, he made a surprise comeback for the Broncos against the Penrith Panthers.

Lockyer in action for Brisbane

During the season at the Broncos' 20-year anniversary celebration, the club announced a list of the 20 best players to play for them to date which included Lockyer.^[24]

Lockyer injured his ankle again in Round 9 against the Sharks but he recovered in time to play in State of Origin 1 and defeat the New South Wales Blues.

In the Round 18 match against North Queensland, Lockyer ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, with the severity of the injury forcing him out for the rest of the 2007 season. He was scheduled to return for the March pre season games in 2008.^[25][26]

Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009^[1] when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in Super League after watching the 2007 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.^[27]

2008

Lockyer in 2008

Lockyer had been strongly linked with a move to Super League at the conclusion of the 2008 NRL season.^[28] Darren Lockyer has admitted he would like to play in Super League before he retires.^[29] He has been linked with a move to Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons.^[30] Lockyer stated of his desire to move in the future, "Not just playing here but living in a different culture – it's appealing."^[31] He admits he had his appetite for a stint in Britain whetted by the Rugby League Challenge Cup final and that he would be open to offers from Super League clubs for his swansong.^[32] It has since been confirmed by his manager George Mimis that up to six Super League clubs are hoping to lure Darren Lockyer to England, with London based Harlequins Rugby League said to be early front-runners for the Australian captain's signature. He has also been linked with Hull KR, however is believed to favour a move to Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos.^{[33][34][35][36][37][38]}

Following confirmation that coach Wayne Bennett would leave the Broncos at the end of 2008, Lockyer was linked with a number of clubs, such as the Wigan Warriors.^[39][40][41]

A troublesome knee injury resulted in surgery which kept Lockyer off the field for much of the first half of the 2008 season, however in typical style Lockyer returned guiding the Brisbane Broncos to the finals series. Lockyer also missed the entire 2008 State of Origin series but the Maroons still won without him.

In August 2008, Lockyer was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,^[42][43] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad.^[44] He was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live.^[45] Lockyer scored two tries and was awarded the player of the match medal in the losing effort against the Kiwis at the World Cup final.

2009

Captain Lockyer kicking off for the Australian side in 2009.

Lockyer was selected for Australia to play in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.^[46] In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin match for 2009,^[47] and was subsequently picked for the opening State of Origin match .^[48] Following the third State of Origin match, Lockyer was out with a knee injury for a few weeks. He returned to a Broncos side that had been getting beaten badly and looked to be out of premiership contention, but towards the end of the season put in consecutive man-of-the-match performances that saw the Broncos defeat table leaders St. George Illawarra. After an ankle injury to Lockyer's halves partner Peter Wallace in that match, the Broncos were knocked out by eventual premiers Melbourne in the grand final qualifier and in 2010 is was found that the Melbourne storm were cheating the salary cap at this time.

During the 2009 Four Nations tournament, in which Lockyer captained Australia to victory, he also broke records for most-capped Australian player and most games for Australia as captain.^[49]

2010

Around the start of the 2010 NRL season, there was massive media speculation about whether Lockyer would retire from representative football.^[50] He opted to continue making himself available to selectors and continued captaining the Kangaroos, taking Australia to victory in the 2010 ANZAC Test.

Lockyer in 2010, captained Queensland to their record-breaking fifth straight series win. In the series sealing victory in Game II, Lockyer was named Man of the Match. This series highlighted how Lockyer over time; has become more and more effective and comfortable in his game-dominating five-eighth role.

In round 16 Lockyer played his 329th game for the Broncos, breaking Andrew Ettingshausen's record for most games played at a single club.^[51] Lockyer suffered a rib injury three weeks out from the finals series with the Broncos teetering in 8th place. Brisbane went on to miss the 8 (finishing 10th) for the first time in 18 years, Lockyers injury was the main factor in this as he did not play a single game after it and Brisbane failed to win another game.

During the end of season 2010 Four Nations tournament, Lockyer broke the Australian national team's all-time try scoring record of 33 set by Ken Irvine, scoring his 34th against Papua New Guinea in Australia's opening match. He was however, unable to secure the trophy for Australia, with New Zealand coming out victors in their third consecutive final of a major tournament against the Kangaroos.

2011

"Wally Lewis was a magnificent player at Origin level but Locky has gone past The King for mine. He's already gone ahead of Andrew Johns, don't worry about that.

“

”

Former New South Wales captain Tommy Raudonikis, 3 May 2011^[52]

After performing well at Broncos pre-season training in January, Lockyer declared himself available for the full representative football calendar of 2011.^[53]

On 28 March 2011, Lockyer announced his retirement stating that the 2011 season will be his final year in the National Rugby League after deciding not to go to the Super League with the promoted Widnes Vikings

On 1 May, Lockyer was named captain in the 17-man squad for the annual ANZAC Test Match in his usual position of five-eighth, he will be joined by four other Brisbane Broncos team-mates, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Sam Thaiday and Ben Hannant, as well as 9 team-mates from his Queensland team; Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Matt Scott, Cooper Cronk and Dave Shillington. Lockyer finished his final ANZAC Test Match on a good note, leading the Kangaroos to a 20-10 victory, having a big hand in setting up two tries the first for Billy Slater with a bomb, the second with a pop-pass play to Gallen, ending in the hands of test-debutant Yow Yeh. Lockyer made a line in the last minute of the first half and set up plays on the right edge for his Broncos teammates.

Lockyer was selected in Game 1 of State of Origin at five-eighth and as captain, this was Lockyers 34th appearance for Queensland equalling the all time record of Allan Langer. Lockyer set up and made the final pass for Billy Slater's match winning try. Darren was selected for the following two games, Game 2, a loss, however led the Maroons to a nail-biting decider win of 34-24; ending his prolific Origin career on a high, with 6-straight series wins and a memorable speech. Lockyer played his final game of Origin alongside 5 of his current Broncos team-mates, being Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Ben Hannant, as well as two former team-mates, Petero Civoneceva and Darius Boyd. Which would have been three until Dave Taylor was suspended for a spear tackle in game against the Broncos.

In Round 22, on 7 August, Lockyer played his all-time record-equalling 349th club game against the New Zealand Warriors at home, Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane won the game 21-20 thanks to a field-goal slotted in by halfback Peter Wallace. The following Friday, on 12 August, Lockyer officially broke the record for most NRL games played at 350 with a win over the North Queensland Cowboys in front of a capacity crowd Dairy Farmers Stadium. The NRL's CEO David Gallop presented Lockyer with the match ball afterwards.^[54] In the second week of the finals series, Lockyer and the Broncos came up against his former mentor Bennett in a match billed as a farewell for one of the two champions. Lockyer was responsible for putting Ben Teo in for the first try, and he once again sealed the match for the Broncos with a 30m field goal in the 82nd minute. During the match, he fractured his cheekbone from a knock from Gerard Beale's knee, while mid-air. This required later surgery. The following round, saw the Broncos take the field against the Manly Sea Eagles in the Semi-Final without Lockyer. A loss, saw the end of Darren Lockyer's club football career in the NRL. He was named the 2011 Brisbane Broncos season's player of the year.^[55]

Lockyer ended his career captaining the Australian national team to victory in the 2011 Four Nations. He ended his campaign of England with a last minute try and then unsuccessful conversion in front of the posts.

Off-field

On 27 October 2007, Lockyer married Loren Pollock, his girlfriend of three years, coincidentally on the same day his immediate predecessor as Australian Test captain, Andrew Johns also tied the knot.^[56]

Lockyer has also written a column for Queensland newspaper, The Courier Mail.^[57]

Lockyer and his partner gave birth to their first child, a boy named Sonny James, in April 2010, a month out from State of Origin. They are also expecting a second child, due in January 2012.

Honours and career highlights

In February 2008, Lockyer was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list.^[58] In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at fullback.^[59] The Queensland State Government has agreed to sculpting a life size ^[60] standing next to 'The King', Wally Lewis outside Lang park in honour of his achievements in Queensland Rugby League. Part of the Warrego Highway between Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour.^[61]

Brisbane Broncos

• First Grade Debut v Eels Round 13, 1995 (Broncos won 60–14).
• Club Rookie of the Year 1995
• Member of the 1997 Super League World Club Challenge winning Broncos side (Broncos defeated Hunter Mariners 36–12).
• Member of the 3rd Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 1997 (Broncos defeated Sharks 26–8, Lockyer scored 5 goals; 10 points).
• Most points in one season: 272 in 1998
• Member of the 4th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 1998 (Broncos defeated Bulldogs 38–12, Lockyer scored 5 goals; 10 points).
• Member of the 5th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 2000 (Broncos defeated Roosters 14–6)
• Clive Churchill Medal Winner 2000
• Club Player of the Year 2002,2003
• Changed Position from Fullback to Five-Eighth at start of 2004 at request of Wayne Bennett
• Captain 2005–present
• Dally M. Medal Five-Eighth of the Year 2006
• Dally M. Medal Representative Player of the Year 2006
• Highest Ever Brisbane Point-Scorer with 1,220 Club Points (as of End of 2007 Season)
• Club Best Back Award 2001,2002,2003,2006
• Member of the 6th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 2006 and also Captain (Broncos defeated Storm 15–8, Lockyer scored 2 goals and 1 field goal).
• Highest capped Broncos player - 355
• Most games at a single club - 355
• Dally M. Medal Five-Eighth of the Year 2007
• ShepCon Worldwide pty ltd medal - 2006

Queensland Maroons

(Correct to 29 July 2011)

• Played in a record 36 State of Origin Games
• Man of the Match 4 times
• Played 2 Tri-Series Matches for Queensland during the 1997 Super League Season (1 goal; 2 points)
• Captained in 22 State of Origin Games (second only to Wally Lewis with 30)
• Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, 2006
• Part of the Series Winning Sides in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008(dane), 2009, 2010 and 2011 (also drawn series in 1999 and 2002)
• Captain of the Series Winning Sides in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011

Apps	Tries	Goals	F/G	Points	Correct to
355	122	341/506	21	1,190	23 September 2011
Apps	Tries	Goals	F/G	Points	Correct to
36	9	22/30	2	82	29 July 2011

Australian Kangaroos

• 55 Test Matches for Australia
• Played in 4 test matches during the 1997 Super League Season (2 tries; 2 goals; 1 field goal; 13 points)
• Australian Kangaroos Captain 2003–2011
• Highest Kangaroos try-Scorer with 34 tries
• 9 World Cup Matches for Australia
• 5 Tries and 4 Goals in World Cup Matches
• Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2003
• Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2006

Apps	Tries	Goals	F/G	Points	Correct to
55	34	31	2	200	29 July 2011

See also

Warrego Highway

References

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36. ^ "MORGAN CONFIRMS LOCKYER INTEREST". Sportinglife. 9 April 2008. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/08/manual_120718.html. Retrieved 9 April 2008. 
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External links

• Brisbane Broncos profile
• Darren Lockyer Footysocial profile
• Darren Lockyer at the State of Origin official website.
• Darren Lockyer at the Former Origin Greats website.
• Darren Lockyer's 2001 Ashes profile at news.bbc.co.uk
• Queensland Team of the Century named – article at nz.leagueunlimited.com

Sporting positions
Preceded by Gorden Tallis 2001–2004	Captain Brisbane Broncos 2005–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Gorden Tallis 2001	Captain Queensland Maroons 2001	Succeeded by Gorden Tallis 2002–2003
Preceded by Gorden Tallis 2001–2004	Captain Queensland Maroons 2004–2007 2009-present	Succeeded by Cameron Smith 2008 (Due to injury)
Preceded by Andrew Johns 2002–2003	Captain Australian Kangaroos 2003-present–present	Incumbent
Awards
Preceded by Brett Kimmorley (Melbourne Storm)	Clive Churchill Medallist 2000	Succeeded by Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)

Persondata
Name	Lockyer, Darren
Alternative names
Short description	Australia rugby league player
Date of birth	23 March 1977
Place of birth	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date of death
Place of death