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| Full name | Darren James Lockyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1977-03-24)24 March 1977 (age 47) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Five-eighth, Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Darren James Lockyer (born 24 March 1977)[1][3] is an Australian television commentator and former professionalrugby league footballer. Lockyer was anAustralian international andQueenslandState representative captain, who played his entire professional career with theBrisbane Broncos.[4] He is considered one of the greatest players of all time in two positions, fullback and five-eighth.[5]
During his 16-year career he set appearance records for his club, state and country, and also set additional all-time records for mostNational Rugby League appearances, mostState of Origin appearances, most games as captain and most tries for the Australian national team.
As afullback, Lockyer won threegrand finals and one as a five-eighth with the Broncos, aWorld Cup with Australia, and theGolden Boot Award for the world's best player. He was named inQueensland Rugby League's Team of the Century (1909–2008) at fullback. He switched positions tofive-eighth in 2004 and went on to win a fourth grand final with the Broncos, a further fiveState of Origin series with Queensland, and a second Golden Boot Award.
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Lockyer was born inBrisbane,Queensland. His father, David, playedAustralian rules football for ten years in Brisbane withMorningside[6] and introduced Darren to the game at four years of age. Two years later, Lockyer started playing Aussie rules forSpringwood, finishing runner-up in the best and fairest award in his first season. The following season he won the club's best and fairest award by 17 votes,[7] despite having to travel 800 kilometres every weekend to play when the family moved to the small country town ofWandoan midway through the season. Travelling commitments and a lack of Australian rules football clubs around the Wandoan area forced him to quit the game and take uprugby league.
He played rugby league for school and club in Wandoan for four years before moving toRoma and playing for the Cities Gladiators.[8] He made his first grade debut at 15 and played Five Eight for his Roma club.[9] In 1990 Queensland Rugby League Development Officer, Glenn Bayliss, spotted the young Lockyer while visiting Roma. After returning to Toowoomba he passed on his views on toBrisbane Broncos talent scoutCyril Connell and Connell followed his progress over the next few years. In 1994, he traveled to Ipswich for a junior rugby league carnival where his performance caught the eye of coachWayne Bennett. After impressing at the carnival, he moved to Brisbane and accepted a $2000 scholarship with the Broncos. In 2011, it was reported that former Parramatta playerSteve Ella who was a scout for the club at the time had spoken with the Parramatta board stating that he had seen a young Lockyer at the carnival and that they should sign him. The Parramatta board reportedly knocked back Ella's suggestion. Lockyer later said in an interview that he did speak with Ella about moving to Parramatta saying "Steve Ella was the first guy to come and talk to my family. As a kid you knew the scouts who were watching and I remember the boys from Roma (where Lockyer grew up) would go to Sydney for trials. "It would have been a big move for me at that age and I was always keen to try my luck with the Broncos. It wasn't long after he (Ella) saw me that I got a scholarship with the Broncos and that's how it has played out". He also worked as a bartender at the Broncos Leagues Club to make ends meet.[10] Later that year, he signed a $10,000 playing contract with the Broncos.[11][12]
Lockyer made his professional first-grade debut with theBrisbane Broncos from the bench as an eighteen-year-oldfive-eighth in a 60–14 thrashing of theParramatta Eels in Round 13 of the1995 ARL season.[13] In this game he threw a try assist to Steve Renouf, a combination which would blossom over the next few seasons. He went on to be named the1995 Brisbane Broncos season's rookie of the year, playing 11 games at centre, five-eighth and off the bench, scoring 3 tries and kicking 4 goals in a game where primary goal kickerJulian O'Neill was injured. He also kicked the first field goal of his career to clinch a 27–20 win over theGold Coast Seagulls in Round 21. Lockyer played most of the1996 ARL season from the interchange bench, but also played fullback, wing, centre and five-eighth, finishing with 20 games played, scoring 7 tries and kicking 13 goals. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they had a rare period of failure, and despite finishing top 4 in both 1995 and 1996, they were unable to win a single finals game across those 2 years.
Lockyer was moved permanently to thefullback position by coachWayne Bennett at the beginning of the1997 Super League season, replacing Australian former international wingerWillie Carne, who had played fullback for the Broncos in 1996, with Lockyer also taking over the full-time goal kicking duties from Carne. He first gained representative honours for Queensland that season in the secondSuper League Tri-series match againstNew South Wales. Lockyer'stry-scoring and goal-kicking ability made him the top point-scorer of the1997 Brisbane Broncos season, and he played a key role in the Broncos side which finished 1st in the Super League table, while also winning theWorld Club Challenge, the Final being a 36–12 win over theHunter Mariners. Lockyer won his first finals match as Brisbane dismissed theCronulla Sharks 34–2, before rematching the Sharks in theGrand Final where the Broncos won a much closer game 26–8. Lockyer kicked 10 goals from 13 attempts across those 2 matches, bringing his season tally to 8 tries and 70 goals. At the end of the 1997 season Lockyer made his international debut when he was selected to play at fullback for Australia in all three games of theSuper League Test series againstGreat Britain in England.[14] He kicked two goals and one field goal during the series, which was won by Australia. Unfortunately, these matches do not count towards his official representative statistics as the IRLF refused to validate Super League internationals as test matches, even though theNRL recognises Super League matches as official first grade appearances.
In the re-unified1998 NRL season, Lockyer was selected as the Queensland team's fullback and goal-kicker for all three games of their successful1998 State of Origin series, in which he was the top point-scorer. Lockyer also made his debut for theAustralian team againstNew Zealand,[15] becoming Kangaroo No. 661.[16] His debut game was shocking, making some poor mistakes which led to a 22–16 New Zealand win and the departure of long-time Australian coachBob Fulton. 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, coming from a career high 19 tries and 90 goals. By this time, Lockyer's playing style in attack was already being likened to that of a five-eighth.[17] Despite the competition being unified and ARL powerhousesNewcastle Knights,Sydney City Roosters andParramatta Eels as well as competition debutantsMelbourne Storm having chances to dethrone them, Brisbane finished the season on top of the table, tied record wise with Newcastle but with a nearly 200 point advantage in point differential thanks to a host of big wins, 3 by more than 50 points, as well as a stoic defence which did not concede more than 28 points across both the regular season and finals. Brisbane came into the finals on a 12 game unbeaten streak (11 wins, 1 draw versusBalmain), but were stunned 15–10 against Parramatta in the Major Semi, thrusting them into sudden death football. Lockyer scored his first finals try in the loss, and continued his rich tryscoring form with another in a 30–6 win over Melbourne, before he scored a spectacular hat trick in a 46–18 win over the Roosters to help Brisbane secure second consecutive Grand Final berth. Lockyer started at fullback against theCanterbury Bulldogs, who had qualified despite finishing the regular season in 9th place, and helped the Broncos dismantle them 38–12 to secure the club's 4th premiership. His incredible season saw him earn Dally M Fullback Of The Year honours for the first time. Lockyer made his officialState of Origin debut, playing all 3 games inQueensland's series victory. And despite his shocking debut, Lockyer was retained in the Australian squad for their 2 end of season tests against New Zealand, scoring a try in both of Australia's victories.
Lockyer's goal-kicking duties at the Broncos were shifted to teammatesBen Walker andMichael De Vere in 1999. Lockyer was not selected in the first 2 Origin matches, but returned for the 3rd ahead ofRobbie O'Davis, whose 22 game suspension the previous season was why Lockyer had been selected. Lockyer scored his first Origin try to help Queensland to a 10-all draw, which was enough for the Maroons to retain the shield. Those first 2 games were the last time where he was overlooked for Queensland, excluding games missed due to injury. Lockyer featured in all 4 of Australia's matches in 1999, and was evensin-binned in the Kangaroos' win against the Kiwis in the final of the post-season1999 Tri-nations tournament, having scored 2 tries to help them qualify for the match with a big win overGreat Britain.[18] Despite Lockyer's individual performance, the year went terribly for the Broncos- the club was only able to salvage 1 win and a draw from their first 10 matches, a situation which worsened when club legendAllan Langer retired midseason. Brisbane sat 17th after 10 games, but 12 wins and a draw from their last 14 matches saw them scrape into the finals, a single point ahead of 9th placedCanberra. Brisbane were drawn the tough task of minor premiers Cronulla in the first week of the finals, and the Sharks gained revenge for 1997 with a 42–20 win to end the Broncos season.
Lockyer played at fullback in all three matches of the2000 State of Origin series in which Queensland suffered a 3–0 series whitewash by New South Wales. At club level, the Broncos had returned to the top of the NRL thanks to Bennett's new gameplan, and Brisbane ran away with the minor premiership, winning 2 more games on top of 2 more draws than the 2nd placed Roosters, again having the best attack and best defence in the league. Brisbane reversed a 20–6 half time deficit to gain revenge on the Sharks with a 32–20 win, which saw them sent to a Preliminary final showdown against Parramatta, which they won 16–10. Brisbane met the Roosters in theGrand Final, where Lockyer won theClive Churchill Medal as man of the match in their 14–6 victory. Lockyer, having featured in Australia's 2–0 win over New Zealand and 82–0 battering ofPapua New Guinea, Lockyer was selected in Australia's 2000 World Cup squad, playing 5 games including the 40–12 win over New Zealand in the Final. By this time Lockyer was being called the best fullback in the world.[19][20] Also in 2000 he received theAustralian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league[21]
Darren pioneered the ball-playingfullback, the No. 1 who can play like a second or thirdfive-eighth.
Having won the2000 NRL Premiership, the Broncos traveled to England to play against 2000'sSuper League V champions,St Helens R.F.C., for the2001 World Club Challenge, with Lockyer playing atfullback in Brisbane's loss. In March 2001, Lockyer was approached by theAustralian Football League clubEssendon regarding an unprecedented switch of codes, and was offered a contract subsequent to a successful trial. However Lockyer chose to stay committed to rugby league.[23] Later in 2001, following QueenslandcaptainGorden Tallis' season-ending neck injury before the second game of the2001 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. Lockyer's heroic game 3 performance, however, has been overshadowed by the return to State of Origin from Queensland legend Langer after an SOS from coach Bennett. Despite the lack of media coverage, Lockyer was still awarded theRon McAuliffe Medal as Queensland player of the series. Brisbane started off the 2001 season in the same form they ended 2000, and sat 2nd on the ladder after 19 rounds. But a late season collapse, losing 6 straight to limp into the finals in 5th position. Lockyer was one of Brisbane's best, even during the losing streak, but couldn't prevent a 22–6 loss to Cronulla in the qualifying final. They bounced back against theSt George Illawarra Dragons to the tune of 44–28, a game which set the record for highest scoring match in NRL Finals history, before their season came to an end with a 24–16 loss to the minor premiers Parramatta. Lockyer walked away with a bevy of awards for his performances, including Dally M Fullback Of The Year and Dally M Representative Player Of The Year. At the end of the season, Lockyer went on the2001 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. He played at fullback in all threeAshes tests, scoring tries in the last two.
Lockyer was Queensland's fullback in all three games of their successful2002 State of Origin series, playing a key role in the drawn series. Brisbane spent almost the entire 2002 season in the Top 4, finishing in 3rd place, as Lockyer, along withLote Tuquiri andChris Walker, led the team in tryscoring. Brisbane advanced straight to a preliminary final after a 24–14 win over the Eels in the second qualifying final, but a Lockyer try could not prevent them from falling 16–12 to the eventual premiers, the Roosters, in the preliminary final. Lockyer did, however, win his 3rd and final Dally M Fullback Of The Year award. Lockyer played in all 3 of Australia's end of season tests, scoring 2 tries in Australia's 64–10 flogging of Great Britain.
Lockyer was Queensland's fullback for all three games of their unsuccessful2003 State of Origin series, scoring a try in the 25–12 Game 1 loss. He was named the2003 Brisbane Broncos season's best player, as Brisbane endured a 7 game losing streak which saw them slip from 1st to 8th, coinciding with Lockyer missing 4 games, and a 28–18 loss to the eventual premiers, thePenrith Panthers in the qualifying final, ending their season. At the end of the2003 NRL season, the retirement of Australian nationalcaptain,Gorden Tallis, from representative football meant that the Kangaroos captaincy was handed to Lockyer shortly before the2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. Lockyer led Australia to victory overGreat Britain in what would be the last time rugby league'sAshes series was contested until a projected tour in 2021. In addition he won the first of hisRugby League WorldGolden Boot Awards for the best international rugby league player that year.[24] He also picked up his 2nd Ron McAuliffe Medal.
For the2004 Brisbane Broncos season, after the retirement ofBen Ikin, coachWayne Bennett moved Lockyer, then established as the world's best fullback, to thefive-eighth position where he would get more opportunities with the ball in hand.[25] The Broncos fullback position he left vacated was taken by 17-year-oldKarmichael Hunt. Lockyer gained some negative media attention at the start of the2004 NRL season when he made a careless joke about theBulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function.[26] Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.
The world's greatestfullback is now the world's greatestfive-eighth.
Despite Lockyer's lack of experience as a five-eighth, he was picked in the position for Queensland (for the final 2 games of the series, after missing Game 1 through injury) and Australia, and remained as captain of both teams.[28] Brisbane again had a great regular season, finishing 3rd, but a 31–14 loss to Melbourne and former assistant coachCraig Bellamy in the qualifying final thrust them into sudden death footy once again. They were drawn to take on Queensland rivalsNorth Queensland Cowboys, a team Brisbane had never lost to. As a positive gesture, Brisbane volunteered to move the home final to the Cowboys'Dairy Farmers Stadium, however the 25,000 Cowboys fans in attendance pushed the Townsville side to a stunning 10–0 upset over the Broncos, in what would be Tallis' last career game. Lockyer collected a host of awards in his first season as five-eighth, including Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year, theProvan Summons Medal, and the RLIF Back Of The Year for his work in Australia's dominantTri Nations success. In the final againstGreat Britain he scored atry and kicked six goals in their 44–4 victory. Also in 2004, during a game for the Broncos, Lockyer took a hit to the throat which caused damage to a small bone in hislarynx. This has resulted in his unusually husky-sounding voice, which could be corrected with surgery that Lockyer has so far declined to undergo.[29]
With Gorden Tallis' retirement at the end of the 2004 season, the Broncos' captaincy was passed onto Lockyer in 2005. He also captained Australia at five-eighth in the2005 ANZAC Test, scoring two tries. Lockyer then captained Queensland at five-eighth in all three games of their unsuccessful2005 State of Origin series. In 2005 Lockyer was also the Broncos' top point-scorer as they led the comp for a majority of the season, only for 2 losses at the end of the season consigning them to a 3rd place finish. Brisbane would again lose to Melbourne in the qualifying final, this time a 24–18 loss, before losing to the eventual premiersWests Tigers 34–6 to end a great season on a very disappointing note. However, experienced commentators continued questioning Lockyer's value as a five-eighth during representative matches.[citation needed] He traveled with the Australian national team to Europe for the2005 Tri-Nations but injured his foot at training and missed the last few games of the tournament,[30] including Australia's stunning 24–0 loss to New Zealand in the final.
After a poor start to the2006 season following a 36–4 loss to theNorth Queensland Cowboys atSuncorp Stadium in Round 1, several critics argued that Lockyer should either return tofullback or lose his spot on both the Australian and Queensland squads. There were also rumours thatJohnathan Thurston would be chosen as the Queensland five-eighth, withScott Prince athalfback. However, after theANZAC Test, in which Lockyer scored two tries in Australia's 50–12 defeat ofNew Zealand, the critics eased off. Lockyer's performances in the five-eighth position improved greatly in the weeks leading up to the2006 State of Origin series, resulting in his selection as five-eighth and captain for Game I. Lockyer underwent further criticism when the Maroons lost to the Blues 17–16 after a poor first half. His position was again debated, with new Queensland coachMal Meninga at one point telling Lockyer he wanted to pick him at fullback for Game 2 (to which Lockyer responded with "pick me at five-eighth, or don't pick me at all"), 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, with Lockyer receiving 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 theWally Lewis Medal for player of the series, and also received his third Ron McAuliffe Medal.
...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.
Immediately after Queensland's State of Origin success, the Broncos entered a 5-game losing streak, in what Bennett referred to as the "slump that wasn't a slump", but bounced back to comfortably win their final three premiership games of the season. Despite losing to theSt George Illawarra Dragons in the first week of the finals, the Broncos rebounded to defeat theNewcastle 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.[32] He then steered his team to win the2006 NRL Grand Final 15–8 overMelbourne, setting up both tries and then kicking a winningfield goal in the 73rd minute.[33] This was Lockyer's fourth premiership (and only one as captain), and the Broncos' sixth. Lockyer was also the Broncos' top try-scorer (together withTame Tupou) for the 2006 season. For his efforts in 2006, Lockyer received his second Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year and his second Dally M Representative Player Of The Year.Lockyer then captained the Kangaroos to an extra-time victory in the2006 Tri-nations Final against New Zealand, scoring the match-winning try in Australia's 16–12 victory.[34] In the process, he became the top try-scorer inTri-Nations history with a tally of 9 tries. In the week leading up to the final, Lockyer was named theGolden Boot Award-winner for international player of the year for the second time.[35] Lockyer was also namedDally 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 sinceAllan Langer (a former teammate) to captain winning teams in theNational Rugby League premiership, theState of Origin series, and theTri-Nations series all in the same year.
Prior to the NRL season the Broncos, under Lockyer, lost the2007 World Club Challenge toSt. Helens. This remains the only major trophy to have eluded him (notwithstanding the Broncos' victory in theSuper League World Club Championship tournament of 1997).
In round 1 of the2007 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 thePenrith Panthers. Lockyer captained theAustralian national team from five-eighth in the 2007ANZAC Test match against New Zealand, scoring atry in the Kangaroos' 30–6 victory.[36]
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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.[37]
Lockyer injured his ankle again in Round 9 against the Sharks but he recovered in time to play in Game I of the2007 State of Origin series and defeat the New South Wales Blues. Lockyer would captain the Maroons in all 3 games as they won their second straight Origin title. In the Round 18 match againstNorth Queensland, Lockyer ruptured hisanterior cruciate ligament, with the severity of the injury forcing him out for the rest of the 2007 season. Without him, Brisbane crumbled from 5th to 8th and fell 40–0 to eventual Grand Final winners Melbourne in the qualifying final. Lockyer would still, however, be named Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year a third time, his second consecutive honour, all 3 coming in a 4 year period. Despite Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009[38] when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in theSuper League after watching the2007 Challenge Cup Final atWembley Stadium,London.[39] 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.[40]
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Lockyer's knee injury was worse than first thought- his decision to play on after the initial ACL rupture resulted in his knee cartilage being damaged, forcing extra surgeries which saw him racing against the clock to start the2008 NRL season. Ultimately he would line up in a Round 1 win over the Panthers, however the issue lingered, and he missed 6 of Brisbane's first 11 games. Lockyer, eager to tie down an Origin spot, returned in a round 12 clash against the Eels, where he played an instrumental role in Brisbane's last gasp 30–26 win, however another knee injury would see him miss 5 weeks of action- and the entire Origin series. Lockyer returned to full health after Round 18 and helped Brisbane secure 5th on the ladder, and a 24–16 win over Sydney in the qualifying final gave hope that the Lockyer-inspired run of form would continue through September. That hope was renewed when Brisbane led minor premiers Melbourne 14–12 in the dying stages of the Semi-final, only for a lateGreg Inglis try to end Brisbane's season- and leave Lockyer showing a rare display of emotion behind the goal line. In August 2008, Lockyer was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the2008 World Cup,[41][42] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-manAustralia squad.[43] He was named Australian captain and was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live.[44] 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.
In Round 8, Lockyer played his 300th first grade game, although the occasion was soured by a 28–12 loss to Newcastle during which a section ofEnergyAustralia Stadium was left without power at half time. Returning to the Queensland side after a 1 year absence, Lockyer resumed his role as captain and led the Maroons to a record 4th consecutive series victory. Lockyer sustained a knee injury in the dead-rubber Game 3, which sidelined him for 3 weeks. In that time, Brisbane had fallen to 10th on the ladder, but after a then-club record 56–0 drubbing against Canberra in his first game back, Brisbane won 5 straight matches to finish 6th inIvan Henjak's first year as head coach- and Brisbane's first season coached by someone other than Wayne Bennett, after the supercoach left for the Dragons. Brisbane beat the Titans 40–32 in the qualifying final, tying the record for highest scoring final that they had set in 2001, and set up a semi final showdown with Bennet's Dragons atSuncorp Stadium. Brisbane dominated the minor premiers and advanced to the Preliminary Final with a 24–10 win, but the result was soured by a fractured ankle suffered by Lockyer's halves partnerPeter Wallace. The only other halfback on Brisbane's roster wasBen Hunt, who at the time had played just 2 first grade games. They named rookie utilityAlex Glenn at halfback, only to move veteran back rowerTonie Carroll into the halves at the last minute. Ultimately, they were probably doomed no matter what they did, as Melbourne ended their season for the third year in a row with a 40–10 rout. During the2009 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.[45]
Around the start of the 2010 NRL season, there was massive media speculation about whether Lockyer would retire from representative football.[46] He opted to continue making himself available to selectors and continued captaining the Kangaroos, taking 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, despite losing much of his renowned athleticism after his 2007 knee injury. In round 16 Lockyer played his 329th game for the Broncos, breakingAndrew Ettingshausen's record for most games played at a single club.[47] 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, Lockyer's 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 season2010 Four Nations tournament, Lockyer broke the Australian national team's all-time try scoring record of 33 set byKen 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.
"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.
After performing well at Broncos pre-season training in January, Lockyer declared himself available for the full representative football calendar of 2011.[49] 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 promotedWidnes Vikings.[citation needed] On 1 May, Lockyer was named captain in the 17-man squad for the annualANZAC Test Match in his usual position of five-eighth. Lockyer finished his finalANZAC Test match on a good note, leading the Kangaroos to a 20–10 victory, equalling Ruben Wiki's record of 55 Test games at Test level, having a big hand in setting up two tries the first forBilly Slater with abomb, the second with a pop-pass play toPaul Gallen, ending in the hands of test-debutant and Broncos teammateJahral Yow Yeh. Lockyer was selected in Game I of the2011 State of Origin series at five-eighth and as captain, making 34th appearance for Queensland, equalling the all-time record of Allan Langer. Lockyer set up and made the final pass forBilly 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.[citation needed] 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 Wallace. The following Friday, on 12 August, Lockyer officially broke the record for most NRL games played at 350 with a win over theNorth Queensland Cowboys in front of a capacity crowdDairy Farmers Stadium. The NRL's CEODavid Gallop presented Lockyer with the match ball afterwards.[50] 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 puttingBen Teo in for the first try, but with Brisbane up 12–6 and under 10 minutes remaining, Lockyer came too close to a jumpingGerard Beale and collected the knee of the Broncos winger to the face, fracturing his cheekbone. Lockyer played through the pain, but missed a tackle which helped set up a game tying Dragons try throughBrett Morris. With the game sent to Golden Point, Lockyer, in what would eventually be the last act of his career, sealed the match for the Broncos with a 30m field goal in the 82nd minute. Lockyer underwent surgery to repair the cheekbone and tried everything to ensure he played the Preliminary Final- even flying from Brisbane to Sydney by helicopter so he could stay at a low altitude. But ultimately, he was forced to pull out from the squad, and watched from the sidelines as Brisbane fell 26–14 to Manly – a team Lockyer had helped Brisbane beat just a month earlier – resulting in the end of his legendary career. He was named the2011 Brisbane Broncos season's player of the year.[51] On 16 October 2011, he captained Australia to a 42–6 win against New Zealand in his last Test game in Australia at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium. Lockyer ended his career captaining the Australian national team to victory in the2011 Four Nations. His last match was the Four Nations final atElland Road against England; he scored a try with the last play of the match, and his final touch was a rather embarrassing one- an unsuccessful conversion attempt from in front of the posts.
In February 2008, Lockyer was named in a list of Australia's100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by theNRL andARL tocelebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list.[52] In June 2008, he was chosen in theQueensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at fullback.[53]
In 2008,rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Lockyer was named at fullback in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.[54]
In 2011 part of theWarrego Highway between Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour.[55] Also, theQueensland State Government agreed to sculpting a life size bronze statue of Darren Lockyer in honour of his achievements inQueensland Rugby League[56] which since 2012 has been standing next to 'The King',Wally Lewis outsideLang Park.
In 2012 the "Darren Lockyer Limited Edition 6YO Release" was sold byBundaberg Rum to celebrate his career.[57]
In October 2018, he was inducted into theSport Australia Hall of Fame.[58]
| Apps | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points | Correct to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 355 | 123 | 341/506 | 21 | 1,195 | 5 December 2011 |
(Correct to 29 July 2011)
| Apps | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points | Correct to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 9 | 22/30 | 2 | 82 | 29 July 2011 |
| Apps | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points | Correct to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 35 | 31 | 2 | 204 | 19 November 2011 |
Lockyer had a second son on 14 January 2012 called Flynn Martin. Lockyer joined theNine Network'srugby league commentary team in 2012, acting as a sideline commentator. Though opting not to have surgery to remove the chipped bone in his throat, he decided to see a speech therapist to help his tone for TV commentary.[59]Lockyer had a third son born on 29 May 2013 called Hugo David.[60]
In 2012, Lockyer signed a three-year contract withOrigin Energy's Australia Pacificcoal seam gas (CSG) project. He will be their safety ambassador and also to gain support for a mining operations called Coal Seam gas or CSG.On Origin's website Darren is investigating the coal seam gas industry for himself. He talks to paid employees and also talks to a farmer that are also making large amount of money from CSG Mining.[61]
Lockyer currently serves as Head of Business Affairs at Mayur Resources, a Brisbane-based energy and minerals company with activities in Papua New Guinea.[62]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Captain Brisbane Broncos 2005–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Captain Queensland Maroons 2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Captain Queensland Maroons 2004–2007 2009–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Captain Australian Kangaroos 2003–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by | Clive Churchill Medallist 2000 | Succeeded by |