Darren Lockyer
Encyclopedia
Darren Lockyer 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 Medal
list and also became only the second player to have won the Golden Boot award twice.
. 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
, 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
. He went on to win the club's rookie of the year award.
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. 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, as Kangaroo No. 661. 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. 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.
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 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.
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. 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 Award
s for the world's best international rugby league player that year.
when he made a careless joke about the Bulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function. Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.
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. 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.
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.
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, including Australia's loss to New Zealand in the final.
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.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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.
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
.
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.
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.
Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009 when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in Super League
after watching the 2007 Challenge Cup Final
at Wembley Stadium
.
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Lockyer had been strongly linked with a move to Super League
at the conclusion of the 2008 NRL season
. Darren Lockyer has admitted he would like to play in Super League before he retires. He has been linked with a move to Bradford Bulls
and Catalans Dragons
. Lockyer stated of his desire to move in the future, "Not just playing here but living in a different culture – it's appealing." 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. 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.
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
.
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
, and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad. He was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live. 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.
.jpg)
Lockyer was selected for Australia to play in the one-off test match against New Zealand
on 8 May 2009. In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin
match for 2009, and was subsequently picked for the opening State of Origin match . 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.
.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
also tied the knot.
Lockyer has also written a column for Queensland newspaper, The Courier Mail.
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.
and ARL
to
celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list. In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century
at fullback. The Queensland State Government
has agreed to sculpting a life size 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.
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
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! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 355 || 122 || 341/506 || 21 || 1,190 || 23 September 2011
|-
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 36 || 9 || 22/30 || 2 || 82 || 29 July 2011
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 55 || 34 || 31 || 2 || 200 || 29 July 2011
|-
|}
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL) club, the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
. 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 Medal
Clive Churchill Medal
The Clive Churchill Medal has been presented to the man-of-the-match of the National Rugby League's annual Grand Final match ever since the 1986 season. The award was created to honour Clive Churchill, one of the greatest rugby league players in Australian history, following his death in 1985...
list and also became only the second player to have won the Golden Boot award twice.
Early years
Lockyer was born in BrisbaneBrisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. As a child, Lockyer played Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
before his parents moved west to Wandoan, Queensland
Wandoan, Queensland
Wandoan is a small town in Queensland, Australia, located on the Leichhardt Highway about halfway between Taroom and Miles. It is part of the Western Downs Region local government area, within which it is the centre for the local cattle industries...
for 4 years then the family moved to Roma
Roma, Queensland
Roma is a town in the western Darling Downs area of Queensland, Australia, by rail WNW of Brisbane. It is situated at the junction of the Warrego and Carnarvon highways...
, 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
Brisbane Broncos 1995
The 1995 Brisbane Broncos season was the eighth in the club's history. They competed in the Australian Rugby League's 1995 Winfield Cup premiership, finishing in the regular season 3rd and making it to the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual premiers, the Canterbury-Bankstown...
. 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-seriesSuper League Tri-series
The Super League Tri-series was a rugby league football tournament contested in 1997 between Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand representative rugby league teams...
match against New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. 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
Super League Test series
The Super League Test series was a three-Test match series between the Great Britain national rugby league team and Super League's Australian national team held during November 1997 in England...
against Great Britain in England. 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
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
and also made his debut for the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
team against New Zealand, as Kangaroo No. 661. 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. He again played at fullback in the 1998 NRL Grand Final
1998 NRL grand final
The 1998 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 1998 NRL season. It was the first grand final since the National Rugby League's formation and featured minor premiers and the previous year's Super League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos against the Canterbury Bulldogs,...
, 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
Ben Walker
Ben Walker is an absolute Legend and Australian rugby league coach and former footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
and Michael De Vere
Michael De Vere
Michael De Vere is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He represented Australia in four tests and New South Wales in five State of Origin matches...
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.
In NRL season 2000, Lockyer won another premiership with Brisbane and was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal
Clive Churchill Medal
The Clive Churchill Medal has been presented to the man-of-the-match of the National Rugby League's annual Grand Final match ever since the 1986 season. The award was created to honour Clive Churchill, one of the greatest rugby league players in Australian history, following his death in 1985...
for best and fairest player on the field in the Broncos' Grand Final win. Also in 2000 he received the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league and played in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
-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.
In March 2001, Lockyer was approached by the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
club Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
to switch codes and offered a contract subsequent to a successful trial, however Lockyer chose to stay committed to rugby league. Later that year, following Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis
Gorden Tallis
Gorden James Tallis is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played from 1992 to 2004. He captained Australia and Queensland as well as the Brisbane Broncos club, with whom he won three premierships and one Clive Churchill Medal...
' 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
2001 Kangaroo Tour
The 2001 Kangaroo Tour was almost abandoned due to the events of September 11, 2001. The tour was initially cancelled by the ARL but after strong public opinion in both Great Britain and Australia, it went ahead, though the only games played were the three tests, marking the first Kangaroo Tour to...
of Great Britain.
Along with Lote Tuqiri and Chris Walker, Lockyer was the Broncos' top try-scorer in the 2002 season
Brisbane Broncos 2002
The 2002 Brisbane Broncos season was the fifteenth in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in third position before going on to again come within one match of the grand final for the second consecutive year.- Season summary :The...
and won the club's player of the year award for both the 2002 and 2003
Brisbane Broncos 2003
The 2003 Brisbane Broncos season was the sixteenth in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2003 Telstra Premiership and were once again in the upper echelons of the ladder before losing their last eight games and falling to eighth place, nearly missing the finals for the first time since...
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
2003 Kangaroo Tour
The 2003 Kangaroo Tour was a six-match tour by the Australia national rugby league team of France, Wales and England. The last three matches were all Tests against Great Britain...
. In addition he won the first of his Rugby League World Golden Boot Award
Rugby League World Golden Boot Award
The Rugby League World Golden Boot Award is a rugby league award handed out annually for achievements in rugby league by Rugby League World magazine...
s for the world's best international rugby league player that year.
Five-eighth
Lockyer gained some negative media attention at the start of the 2004 seasonBrisbane Broncos 2004
The 2004 Brisbane Broncos season was the seventeenth in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2004 Telstra Premiership, making it to the finals again, but were knocked out of contention by the North Queensland Cowboys, their first ever loss to the club....
when he made a careless joke about the Bulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function. Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.
Ben Ikin
Benjamin Ikin is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and former commentator for the Nine Network now employed by One HD...
. 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
Karmichael Hunt
Karmichael Neil Matthew Hunt is an Australian professional multi-code football player, currently playing Australian rules football for the newly formed Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League ....
. 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.
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
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
. This has resulted in his unusually husky-sounding voice, which could be corrected with surgery that Lockyer has so far declined to undergo.
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, including Australia's loss to New Zealand in the final.
2006
After a poor start to the 2006 seasonBrisbane Broncos 2006
The 2006 Brisbane Broncos season was the nineteenth in the club's history. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Darren Lockyer, they won the NRL's 2006 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 3rd place before going on to win the 2006 NRL Grand Final against minor premiers the...
following a 36–4 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, 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
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
would be chosen as the Queensland five-eighth, with Scott Prince
Scott Prince
Scott Prince is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current captain of the Gold Coast Titans club of the National Rugby League...
at halfback.
However, after the ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
, in which Lockyer scored two tries in Australia's 50–12 defeat of New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
, 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.
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
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
in the first week of the finals, the Broncos rebounded to defeat the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
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. He then steered his team to win the 2006 Grand Final 15–8 over Melbourne
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
, setting up both tries and then kicking a winning field goal in the 73rd minute. 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
Tame Tupou
Siokatame Gary Tupou also known as Tame Tupou and Gary Tupou is a former rugby league player who represented the New Zealand national side...
) for the 2006 season.
Lockyer then captained Australia to an extra-time victory in the 2006 Tri-nations
2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations was hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. Sponsored by Gillette the tournament followed the same format as in 2004 and 2005, with each team meeting the other two teams twice, and the top two teams at the end of the group stages proceeding to the...
final against New Zealand, scoring the match-winning try in Australia's 16–12 victory. In the process, he became the top try-scorer in Tri-Nations
Rugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
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. Lockyer was also named Dally M
Dally M Awards
The Dally M Awards are the official annual player awards for the National Rugby League competition. The most prestigious of these awards is the Dally M Medal which is only ever awarded to Australian born Players...
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
Allan Langer
Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos...
(a former teammate) to captain winning teams in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
premiership, the State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
series, and the Tri-Nations series
Rugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
all in the same year.
2007
Prior to the NRL season the Broncos, under Lockyer, lost the 2007 World Club Challenge2007 World Club Challenge
The 2007 Carnegie World Club Challenge was played between Super League XI champions, St Helens and 2006 National Rugby League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos. It was a replay of the 2001 World Club Challenge, and both clubs' fifth WCC appearance...
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
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
.
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.
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
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
, Lockyer ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
, 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.
Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009 when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
after watching the 2007 Challenge Cup Final
2007 Challenge Cup Final
The 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup featured teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia. The final was played by the holders St Helens and Catalans Dragons at the new Wembley Stadium on the 25 August 2007. The Dragons were the first French club ever to take part in...
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.
2008
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
at the conclusion of the 2008 NRL season
National Rugby League season 2008
The 2008 NRL season was the 101st season of professional rugby league club competition in Australia, and the eleventh run by the National Rugby League. For the second year, sixteen teams competed for the 2008 Telstra Premiership title. The season commenced with the first matches played on 14 March...
. Darren Lockyer has admitted he would like to play in Super League before he retires. He has been linked with a move to Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
and Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
. Lockyer stated of his desire to move in the future, "Not just playing here but living in a different culture – it's appealing." He admits he had his appetite for a stint in Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
whetted by the Rugby League Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final and that he would be open to offers from Super League clubs for his swansong. 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
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
, however is believed to favour a move to Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos.
Following confirmation that coach Wayne Bennett would leave the Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
at the end of 2008
National Rugby League season 2008
The 2008 NRL season was the 101st season of professional rugby league club competition in Australia, and the eleventh run by the National Rugby League. For the second year, sixteen teams competed for the 2008 Telstra Premiership title. The season commenced with the first matches played on 14 March...
, Lockyer was linked with a number of clubs, such as the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
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
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
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
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
, and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad. He was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live. 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
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
on 8 May 2009. In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
match for 2009, and was subsequently picked for the opening State of Origin match . 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
Peter Wallace
Peter James "Wal" Wallace is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. A New South Wales City and State of Origin representative halfback, he also previously played for the Penrith Panthers club.-Early life:Wallace was born in Melbourne and moved to...
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.
2010
Around the start of the 2010 NRL season, there was massive media speculation about whether Lockyer would retire from representative football. He opted to continue making himself available to selectors and continued captaining the Kangaroos, taking Australia to victory in the 2010 ANZAC Test2010 ANZAC Test
The 2010 ANZAC Test was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand on 7 May 2010. The match coincided with the official opening of AAMI Park in Melbourne. The match was won by Australia with a score of 12–8.-The teams:...
.
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
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
's record for most games played at a single club. 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
Ken Irvine
Kenneth John Irvine was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He holds the standing record for the most number of tries in a first-grade career – 212. No other player has yet managed 200 tries in their career, apart from Steve Menzies who has scored 216...
, 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
After performing well at Broncos pre-season training in January, Lockyer declared himself available for the full representative football calendar of 2011.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
Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
, Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
, Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
and Ben Hannant
Ben Hannant
Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL...
, as well as 9 team-mates from his Queensland team
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
; Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
, Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
, Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
, Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
, Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
, Matt Scott
Matt Scott
Matt Scott is a wheelchair basketball player. He was on the gold medal winning US team at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Brazil. He was nominated for the Best Male Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award for this. He has spina bifida and competed in the 2004 Summer Paralympics and 2008 Summer...
, Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
and Dave Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
. 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
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
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
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
'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
Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
, Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh
Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
, Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
, Corey Parker
Corey Parker
Corey Parker may refer to:*Corey Parker , Australian rugby league footballer*Corey Parker , American actor...
and Ben Hannant
Ben Hannant
Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL...
, as well as two former team-mates, Petero Civoneceva and Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
. Which would have been three until Dave Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
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
Peter Wallace
Peter James "Wal" Wallace is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL. A New South Wales City and State of Origin representative halfback, he also previously played for the Penrith Panthers club.-Early life:Wallace was born in Melbourne and moved to...
. 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
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
in front of a capacity crowd Dairy Farmers Stadium
Dairy Farmers Stadium
The Willows Sports Complex, currently known as Dairy Farmers Stadium due to sponsorship rights, is a grass football stadium situated in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It has historically been used mainly for rugby league, and is the home ground of the National Rugby League club the North...
. The NRL's CEO David Gallop
David Gallop
David Gallop is an Australian sports administrator who has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League since February 2002. He has also been the Secretary of the Rugby League International Federation since its inception in 1998.-Early life:...
presented Lockyer with the match ball afterwards. 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
2011 Brisbane Broncos season
-Gains:-Losses:-Re-signings:-Pre-Season:-Regular Season:-Finals:-Statistics:Source: -Representative honours:The following players have played a representative match in 2011.Australian Kangaroos*Ben Hannant*Justin Hodges...
's player of the year.
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 JohnsAndrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
also tied the knot.
Lockyer has also written a column for Queensland newspaper, The Courier Mail.
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 NRLNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
and ARL
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
to
celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list. In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century
Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century
The Queensland Rugby League Team of the Century is a hypothetical team comprising the best players who have played for Queensland to form a team for 1909 until 2008. Rugby league in Queensland was initiated in 1909 with the Queensland Rugby Football League competition, which evolved into the...
at fullback. The Queensland State Government
Government of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
has agreed to sculpting a life size standing next to 'The King', Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
outside Lang park in honour of his achievements in Queensland Rugby League
Queensland Rugby League
The Queensland Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League and selects the members of Queensland State of Origin teams....
. Part of the Warrego Highway
Warrego Highway
The Warrego Highway is located in southern Queensland, Australia. It connects coastal centres to the south western areas of the state, and is approximately 750 km in length. It takes its name from the Warrego River, which is the endpoint of the highway...
between Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour.
Brisbane Broncos
- First Grade Debut v EelsParramatta EelsThe Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
Round 13, 1995Brisbane Broncos 1995The 1995 Brisbane Broncos season was the eighth in the club's history. They competed in the Australian Rugby League's 1995 Winfield Cup premiership, finishing in the regular season 3rd and making it to the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual premiers, the Canterbury-Bankstown...
(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 1998Brisbane Broncos 1998The 1998 Brisbane Broncos season was the eleventh in the club's history. They participated in the newly formed National Rugby League's 1998 premiership and posted their three biggest ever wins in rounds 5, 7 and 15 before capturing their fourth premiership in seven seasons.Broncos trio Allan...
- 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 MedalClive Churchill MedalThe Clive Churchill Medal has been presented to the man-of-the-match of the National Rugby League's annual Grand Final match ever since the 1986 season. The award was created to honour Clive Churchill, one of the greatest rugby league players in Australian history, following his death in 1985...
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
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 355 || 122 || 341/506 || 21 || 1,190 || 23 September 2011
|-
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 SeasonSuper League (Australia) season 1997The 1997 Super League season was the 90th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the first and only to be run by the News Limited-controlled Super League organisation...
(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
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! 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
{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 55 || 34 || 31 || 2 || 200 || 29 July 2011
|-
|}
External links
- Brisbane Broncos profile
- Darren Lockyer Footysocial profile
- Darren Lockyer's 2001 Ashes profile at news.bbc.co.uk
- Queensland Team of the Century named – article at nz.leagueunlimited.com