Darren Lockyer

At 47 years old, Darren Lockyer has this physical status:

Darren James Lockyer (born 24 March 1977) is an Australian television commentator and former rugby league footballer.

Lockyer, an Australian international and Queensland State captain who spent his entire career with the Brisbane Broncos, set new all-time records for his club, state, and country, as well as the majority tries for the Australian national team. Lockyer, a fullback, won three grand finals and one as a Five Eighth with the Broncos (includes a Clive Churchill Medal), a World Cup with Australia, and the Golden Boot Award for the world's best player.

He was selected in Queensland's Team of the Century (1998–2007) at fullback.

He earned his fourth grand final with the Broncos, a further five State of Origins series with Queensland, and his second Golden Boot Award in 2004.

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Playing career

Lockyer made his professional debut with the Brisbane Broncos as an eighteen-year-old five-eighth in Round 13 of the 1995 ARL season. Steve Renouf was given a try assist in this game, a combination that would flourish over the next few seasons. He continued to be named the 1995 Brisbane Broncos season's rookie of the year, playing 11 games at centre, five-eighth, and off the bench, scoring 3 goals and kicking 4 goals in a game where primary goal kicker Julian O'Neill was injured. In Round 21, he scored his first field goal of his career, winning by 27-20 over the Gold Coast Seagulls. Lockyer spent the majority of the 1996 ARL season from the interchange bench, but he also played fullback, wing, center, and five-eighth, totaling 20 games and scoring 13 goals. The Broncos suffered through a difficult stretch of inability, and although they finished in top-four in 1995 and 1996, they were unable to win a single finals game in those two years.

Lockyer was promoted to fullback by coach Wayne Bennett at the start of the 1997 Super League season, replacing Australian ex international winger Willie Carne, who had played fullback for the Broncos in 1996, with Lockyer taking over full-time goal kick duties from Carne. In the second Super League Tri-series match against New South Wales, he first earned representative honours for Queensland earlier this season. Lockyer's combination of try-scoring and goal-kicking ability made him the top point scorer of the 1997 Brisbane Broncos season, and he was a key role in the Broncos', who finished 1st in the Super League table, as well as winning the World Cup Challenge, a 36-12 victory over the Hunter Mariners. Lockyer won his first finals match as Brisbane defeated the Cronulla Sharks 34-2 before rematching the Sharks in the Grand Final, where the Broncos threw a much closer match 26-8. Lockyer scored ten goals from 13 attempts in those two games, taking his season total score to 8 tries and 70 goals. Lockyer made his international debut in 1997-98 when he was selected to play fullback for Australia in all three games of the Super League Test series against Great Britain in England. During the tournament, which was dominated by Australia, he kicked two goals and one field goal. Sadly, these matches do not count towards his official representative rankings as the IRLF refused to recognize Super League internationals as test matches, despite the fact that the NRL recognizes Super League matches as official first grade appearances.

Lockyer was selected as the Queensland team's fullback and goal-kicker for all three games of their re-united 1998 State of Origin series, in which he was the best point scorer in the re-unified 1998 NRL season. Lockyer made his Australian debut against New Zealand, becoming Kangaroo No. 1 on Saturday. 661 is 661. His debut game was shocking, with some poor decisions that resulted in a 22-16 victory for New Zealand and the departure of long-time Australian coach Bob Fulton. He was again the top point scorer for Brisbane this year, smashing the club's record of 193 for most points in a season by scoring 272, coming from a career high 19 attempts and 90 goals. Lockyer's playing style in attack had already been likened to that of a five-eighth by this time. Despite the competition being united and ARL powerhouses Newcastle Knights, Sydney City Roosters, and Parramatta Eels, as well as competition debutants Melbourne Storm's potential to dethrone them, Brisbane finished the season on top of the table, with a 33-point advantage in point difference despite having a nearly 200 point advantage in point difference, despite a slew of big victories, 3 by more than 50 points in both the regular season and finals Brisbane went into the finals on a 12 game unbeaten streak (11 wins, 1 draw versus Balmain), but they were stunned 15-10 against Parramatta in the Major Semis, throwing them into sudden death football. Lockyer earned his first final appearance in the loss and continued his tryscoring form with another win over Melbourne, 40-16, securing Brisbane's second consecutive Grand Final appearance. Lockyer started playing fullback against the Canterbury Bulldogs, who had qualified despite finishing the regular season in 9th place, and the Broncos defeated them 38-12 to win the club's 4th premiership. For the first time, he received Dally M Fullback Of The Year awards. Lockyer made his official State of Origin debut in Queensland's series victory, winning all three games. Lockyer was still in the Australian squad for their 2 end of season tests against New Zealand, scoring a try in both of Australia's victories despite his shocking debut.

In 1999, Lockyer's goal-kicking duties were given to teammates Ben Walker and Michael De Vere. Lockyer was not favored in the first two Origin games, but he returned for the 3rd, just over Robbie O'Davis' 22-game suspension since being suspended in the previous season. Lockyer's first Origin attempt to help Queensland earn a 10-all draw, which was enough for the Maroons to keep the shield. He was unavoidable for Queensland for the first two games, with no games being postponed due to injury. Lockyer appeared in all four of Australia's matches in 1999 and was even sin-binned in the Kangaroos' victory over the Kiwis in the final of the post-season 1999 Tri-nations tournament, having scored 2 tries to help them qualify for the match against Great Britain. Despite Lockyer's individual success, the Broncos' year was disastrous - the club was only able to win and a draw from their first ten games, a situation that escalated when club legend Allan Langer retired mid-season. Brisbane sat 17th after ten games, but the team was defeated and a draw from their last 14 matches, putting them one point behind 9th placed Canberra. In the first week of the finals, Brisbane faced Cronulla, the minor premiers of minor premierships, and the Sharks retaliated for 1997 by defeating the Broncos by 42-20.

In all three matches of the 2000 State of Origins series in which Queensland suffered a 3-0 series whitewash by New South Wales, Lockyer was at full speed. The Broncos had returned to the top of the NRL thanks to Bennett's latest game scheme, while Brisbane took the minor premiership by winning 2 more games over the second placed Roosters, demonstrating the highest attack and best defense in the league. Brisbane won by 32-20, giving them a 32-20 victory and a Preliminary final showdown against Parramatta, who defeated 16-10. In the Grand Final, Brisbane defeated the Roosters, where Lockyer claimed the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match in their 14-6 triumph. Lockyer was named in Australia's 2000 World Cup squad, winning 2-0 over New Zealand and 82-0 battering of Papua New Guinea, a 40-12 triumph over New Zealand in the Final. Lockyer was already dubbed the world's best fullback by this time. He received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to Australia's international recognition in the sport of rugby league.

The Broncos travelled to England to face 2000's Super League V champions, St Helens R.F.C., in the 2001 World Championship Challenge, with Lockyer playing at fullback in Brisbane's loss. Lockyer was approached by Essendon, the Australian Football League, in March 2001, regarding an extraordinary change of codes, and he was given a new deal following a fruitful trial. Lockyer, on the other hand, opted to remain faithful to the rugby league. The Maroons' captaincy was given to Lockyer later in 2001, following Queensland captain Gorden Tallis' season-ending neck injury before the second game of the 2001 State of Origin series. Lockyer was named man-of-the-match in the third and deciding game of the series, having scored two tries and kicked four goals to help Queensland beat Queensland. Lockyer's heroic game 3 results, on the back to State of Origin from Queensland legend Langer following an SOS from coach Bennett, has been overshadowed by his return to Queensland. Despite a lack of media coverage, Lockyer was still named with the Ron McAuliffe Medal as the Queensland player of the series. Brisbane began the 2001 season in the same way they did in 2000, and after 19 rounds, they ranked second on the ladder. However, a late season slump saw him drop six straight to begin in the finals, in 5th position. Lockyer was one of Brisbane's finest performers during the losing streak, but in the Qualifying Final, he couldn't stop a 22-6 loss to Cronulla. They bounced back to the St George Illawarra Dragons for 44-28, a game that tied for the highest scoring match in NRL Finals history, but they lost by 24-16 to the minor premiers Parramatta, bringing the season to an end. Lockyer received a slew of accolades for his efforts, including Dally M Fullback Of The Year and Dally M Representative Player Of The Year. Lockyer spent the winter in North Britain on the 2001 Kangaroo tour. In all three Ashes tests, he appeared at full speed, with scoring tries in the last two.

Lockyer was Queensland's fullback in all three games of their wildly popular 2002 State of Origin collection, with the latter playing a key role in the tangled story. Brisbane spent almost the entire 2002 season in the top 4, finishing in third place, as Lockyer, Lote Tuquiri, and Chris Walker led the team in tryscoring. Brisbane were thrown into sudden death football under McIntyre's scheme after a 24-14 victory over the Eels, and a Lockyer effort could not save them from falling 16-12 to the eventual champion Roosters. Lockyer did win his 3rd and final Dally M Fullback Of The Year award, however, despite this. Lockyer appeared in all three of Australia's end-of-season tests, scoring 2 tries in Australia's 64-10 flogging of Great Britain.

Lockyer scored a try in the 25-12 Game 1 loss, with Queensland's fullback for all three games of their losing 2003 State of Origins series. He was named the 2003 Brisbane Broncos season's best player, coinciding with Lockyer's absence from 7 games and a 28-18 loss to the eventual premiers, the [Penrith Panthers] in the Qualifying Final, bringing a 7-game losing streak to the Brisbane Broncos. The demise of Australia's national captain, Gorden Tallis, from representative football meant that the Kangaroos captaincy was handed over to Lockyer shortly after the 2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. Lockyer led Australia to victory over Great Britain in what would be the last time the Ashes series in rugby league had been contested until 2021. In addition, he was named winner of the first of his Rugby League World Golden Boot Awards for the best international rugby league player of the year. He also earned his 2nd Ron McAuliffe Medal.

After Ben Ikin's retirement, Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett moved Lockyer, then named as the world's best fullback, to a five-eighth position, where he'll have more opportunities with the ball in hand. By 17-year-old Karmichael Hunt, the Broncos fullback job he left vacant was taken from him. Lockyer made some inflammatory media buzz at the start of the 2004 NRL season when he made a careless joke about the Bulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function. Lockyer, Australia's captain, was immediately chastised by national authorities and apologised for his remark.

Despite Lockyer's inexperience as a five-eighth, he was picked for Queensland (for the final two games of the series, after missing Game 1 due to injury) and Australia, and continued as captain of both teams. Brisbane enjoyed a great regular season, placing 3rd, but the Qualifying Final brought them into sudden death footing once more. Brisbane's North Queensland Cowboys were drawn to face Queensland rivals the Queensland Cowboys, a team Brisbane had never lost to. Brisbane agreed to relocate the home final to the Cowboys' Dairy Farmers Stadium, but the Townsville team was defeated by 25,000 Cowboys fans, who were in a thrilling 10-0 draw, a great gift for Tallis' last game. Lockyer's first season as a five-eighth included Dally M Five-Eighth, Provan Summons Medal, and the RLIF Back Of The Year for his efforts in Australia's burgeoning Tri Nations triumph. In a 44-4 victory over Great Britain, he scored a try and kicked six goals. Lockyer took a blow to the throat while playing for the Broncos in 2004, causing injury to a small bone in his larynx. Lockyer's characteristicly husky voice has developed, which may have been corrected by surgery that Lockyer has so far declined to undergo.

The Broncos' captaincy was handed over to Lockyer in 2005 after Gorden Tallis' retirement at the end of the 2004 season. He also captained Australia at five-eight in the 2005 ANZAC Test, scoring two tries. Lockyer led Queensland to five-eighth in all three games of their losing 2005 State of Origins series, defeating Queensland at five-eighth. Lockyer was the Broncos' top point scorer in 2005, but the Broncos were still the best point scorer in the league for the majority of the season, but they were only able to finish in 2nd place at the end of the season. Brisbane will lose by 24-18, this time, before losing 34-6 to the eventual premiers Wests Tigers, bringing a sad season to a close conclusion. Nevertheless, veteran commentators kept doubting Lockyer's worth as a five-eighth during representative matches. He was with the Australian national team in Europe for the 2005 Tri-Nations, but he broke his foot at work and missed the last two games of the tournament, including Australia's stunning 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the final.

Following a 36-4 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1, several observers suggested that Lockyer either return to fullback or lose his spot on both the Australian and Queensland squads. There were also rumors 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 win over New Zealand, the critics relished. Lockyer's five-eighth position in the weeks leading up to the 2006 State of Origin collection, which culminated in his selection as the five-eighth captain for Game I. Mal Meninga's job was again contested, with Lockyer telling Lockyer he wanted to pick him at fullback for Game 2 (to which Lockyer replied with "pick me at five-eighth or don't pick me at all"), but good results against the Bulldogs and the Warriors resulted in his retention in Queensland. Queensland made an impressive comeback in Origin 2, defeating the Blues 30-6, with Lockyer receiving the Man of the Match award. In the deciding match, he was then responsible for completing the sequence of victories for Queensland. Lockyer intercepted a pass from NSW player Brett Hodgson and scored the match-winning try with Queensland down 14-10 with 5 minutes remaining. It was Queensland's first outright series victory since 2001, as well as preventing New South Wales from winning their fourth straight Origin series victory. Lockyer was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, as well as his third Ron McAuliffe Medal after the match.

Straight after Queensland's State of Origin triumph, the Broncos began losing in a 5-game losing streak, what Bennett referred to as the "slump that wasn't a slump," but the Broncos roared back to victory in 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 resurgent to defeat the Newcastle Knights 5-6. They then advanced to the preliminary final against the Bulldogs 37-20 after trailing 20-6 at halftime, with Lockyer named man of the match. He then led his team to victory in the 2006 NRL Grand Final 15-8 over Melbourne, setting up both sides of the game and then kicking a winning field goal in the 73rd minute. This was Lockyer's fourth premiership (first as captain) and the Broncos' sixth premiership. Lockyer was also the Broncos' top try-scorer (along with Tame Tupou) for the 2006 season. Lockyer earned his second Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year and his second Dally M Representative Player Of The Year for his efforts in 2006. Lockyer led the Kangaroos to an extra-time victory in the 2006 Tri-nations Final against New Zealand, scoring the match-winning goal in Australia's 16-12 triumph. He made history by becoming the top try-scorer in Tri-Nations history with a total score of 9 attempts. For the second time, Lockyer was named as the Golden Boot Award-winner for international player of the year in the week leading up to the final. Lockyer was also named Dally M five-eighth and representative of the year, the Broncos' best back, and people's choice player of the year, as well as a finalist in the Queensland Sports Star of the Year award. Overall, 2006 was easily Lockyer's best ever season, as he became the first person since Allan Langer (a former teammate) to captain teams in the National Rugby League premiership, the State of Origins series, and the Tri-Nations series together in one year.

The Broncos lost the 2007 World Club Challenge to St. Helens prior to the NRL season. This is his only major trophy to have eluded him (despite the Broncos' victory in the Super League World Championship Championship tournament of 1997).

Lockyer sustained his right ankle in round one of the 2007 NRL season and was initially suspended for 6 weeks. However, he made a surprise appearance for the Broncos against the Penrith Panthers a fortnight later in Round 3. Lockyer captained the Australian national team from five-eighth in the 2007 ANZAC Test match against New Zealand, scoring a try in the Kangaroos' 30-6 victory.

The Broncos revealed a list of the top 20 best players to play for them to date, which included Lockyer, during the 20-year anniversary celebration.

Lockyer suffered his ankle again in Round 9 against the Sharks, but he recovered in time to play in Game I of the 2007 State of Origins series and beat the New South Wales Blues. Lockyer will cap the Maroons in all three games as they earn their second straight Origin title. Lockyer ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Round 18 match against North Queensland, with the severity of the injury causing him to miss the remainder of the 2007 season. Brisbane lost from 5th to 8th and collapsed 40-0 to eventual Grand Finalist Melbourne in the Qualifying Final. Lockyer will be named Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year for the second time in a row, with all three three celebrities recognizing the event in a four-year period. Despite Lockyer's being confined to the Broncos until the end of 2009, when he admitted he was interested in playing in the Super League after watching the 2007 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. Lockyer married Loren Pollock, his girlfriend of three years, on the same day his immediate predecessor, Australian Test captain Andrew Johns, married.

Lockyer's knee injury was worse than first expected: his decision to play continued after the initial ACL tear left his knee cartilage in place, resulting in additional surgeries and him racing against the clock, but not before the 2008 NRL season. In the end, he would line up in a Round 1 victory over the Panthers in a Round 1, but the problem resurfaced, and he missed 6 of Brisbane's first 11 games. Lockyer, who wanted to securing an Origin slot, returned to Brisbane in a round 12 match against the Eels, where he was instrumental in Brisbane's last gasp 30-26 victory, but the entire Origin series will be void for 5 weeks. Lockyer returned to full fitness after Round 18 and helped Brisbane secure fifth place on the ladder, while Brisbane's 24-16 victory over Sydney in the Qualifying Final gave the belief that the Lockyer-inspired run of form would persist into September. In the dying stages of the Semi Finals, Brisbane dominated minor premiers Melbourne 14-12, with solely for a late Greg Inglis' return to Brisbane's season and leave Lockyer on a rare display of emotion behind the goal line. Lockyer was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 World Cup in August 2008, and he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad in October 2008. By NRL Live, he was named Australia's captain and was rated as one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch'. Lockyer scored two tries and was named Player of the match medal in the losing effort against the Kiwis at the World Cup final.

Lockyer played his 300th grade game in Round 8, but the occasion was marred by a 28-12 loss to Newcastle, which left a portion of EnergyAustralia Stadium without electricity at halftime. Lockyer, who was on leave from a year in Queensland, resumed his role as captain and led the Maroons to their first straight series victory. Lockyer sustained a knee injury in Game 3, which sidelined him for three weeks. Brisbane had fallen to 10th on the ladder after a tumultuous 56-0 loss to Canberra in his first game back, but Brisbane had won 5 straight matches to finish 6th in Ivan Henjak's first season as head coach and Brisbane's first season as coach, after Wayne Bennett left for the Dragons. Brisbane defeated the Titans 40-32 in the Qualifying Final, tying the highest scoring final that they had set in 2001, and laying down a semi-final match against Bennet's Dragons at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane dominated the minor premiers and advanced to the Preliminary Final by 24-10, but Lockyer's halves partner Peter Wallace's fate was marred by a fractured leg. Ben Hunt, Brisbane's only other halfback, appeared in just two first grade games at the time. They called rookie utility Alex Glenn at halftime, but only at the last minute was moved to veteran back rower Tonie Carroll. Ultimately, they were probably doomed no matter what they did, as Melbourne's third year in a row came to an end with a 40-10 victory. Lockyer captained Australia to victory in the 2009 Four Nations tournament, breaking records for the most-capped Australian player and most games for Australia as captain.

Lockyer's exit from representative football was widely circulated at the start of the 2010 NRL season. He opted to remain available to pickors and continued captaining the Kangaroos in 2010, defeating Queensland by a stunning fifth straight series victory. Lockyer was named Man of the Match in Game II after a series-lock victory. Lockyer's progress has increased and comfortable in his game-dominating five-eighth role, despite losing a significant amount of his legendary athleticism after his 2007 knee injury. Lockyer played his 329th game for the Broncos in round 16, beating Andrew Ettingshausen's record for most games played at a single club. Lockyer sustained a rib fracture three weeks before being ranked eighth in eighth place in the finals series. Brisbane went on to lose the 8 (finishing tenth) for the first time in 18 years, Lockyer's illness was the determining factor in this as he did not participate in a single game, and Brisbane lost another game. Lockyer set a new Australian national team's all-time try scoring record of 33 set by Ken Irvine during Australia's opening match against Papua New Guinea. He was, however, unable to win the trophy for Australia, with New Zealand emerging victorious in their third straight major tournament against the Kangaroos.

Lockyer, who did well in Broncos pre-season training in January, has announced himself for the 2011 full representative football calendar. Lockyer announced on March 28th that 2011 would be his last year in the National Rugby League after deciding not to go to the Super League with the promoted Widnes Vikings. Lockyer was voted captain of the 17-man squad for the annual ANZAC Test Match in his old position of five-eighth on May 1st. Lockyer ended his last ANZAC Test match on a positive note, leading to the Kangaroos to a 20-10 victory and tying Ruben Wiki's record of 55 Test games at Test level, with the first seeing a pop-pass play to Paul Gallen and the second in the custody of test-debutant and Broncos teammate Jahral Yow Yeh. Lockyer was selected in Game I of the 2011 State of Origin series as captain and five-eighth, his 34th appearance for Queensland, equaling Allan Langer's all-time record. Billy Slater's match winning effort was blocked until Lockyer set up and made the final pass. Darren was drafted for the following two games, Game 2: A loss, but the Maroons nonetheless won by 34-24, putting an end to his prolific Origin career on a high, with six straight series victories and a moving address. Lockyer played his all-time record-equalling 349th club match against the New Zealand Warriors at home, Suncorp Stadium on August 7th. Brisbane won the game 21-20 thanks to a field goal slotted in by halfback Wallace. Lockyer defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 3-0 on Friday, setting a new record for most NRL games played at 350, according to a packed crowd at Dairy Farmers Stadium. After that match ball, NRL CEO David Gallop presented Lockyer with the match ball. Lockyer and the Broncos met their former mentor Bennett in a match that was described as a farewell to one of the two champions in the second week of the finals series. Lockyer was responsible for Ben Teo's first try, but Lockyer came too close to a jumping Gerard Beale and dropped his knee to the side of the Broncos winger, fracturing his cheekbone. Lockyer battled the pain, but missed a tackle that may have aided in the game tying Dragons' game by Brett Morris. The game was sent to Golden Point, Lockyer, in what would be his last act of his career, and the Broncos were able to win the game by a 30m field goal in the 82nd minute. Lockyer underwent facial surgery to repair the cheekbone and then did everything possible to ensure he appeared in the Preliminary Final, even flying from Brisbane to Sydney by helicopter to remain at a low altitude. But in the end of his legendary career, he was forced to pull out from the squad and watched from the sidelines as Brisbane defeated Manly 26-14, a match that was never before. He was named the 2011 Brisbane Broncos season's best player of the year by the narrator. In his last Test game in Australia, at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium, he captained Australia to a 42-6 victory over New Zealand on October 16, 2011. Lockyer capped the Australian national team to victory in the 2011 Four Nations after he spent his career as a captain. At Elland Road against England, he scored a try with the last play of the match; his last touch was a humiliating one despite being able to convert in front of the posts.

Lockyer was included in a list of Australia's Top 100 Greatest Players (1908-2007) in February 2008, the only current player to be included on the list. He was selected in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at fullback in June 2008.

Lockyer was named fullback in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century in 2008, in Australia's centennial year.

Darren Lockyer Way in Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed in 2011 as a member of the Warrego Highway between Ipswich and Toowoomba. In addition, the Queensland State Government has decided to sculpt a life-size bronze statue of Darren Lockyer in honour of his participation in Queensland Rugby League, where he has been standing outside Lang Park next to 'The King.'

Bundaberg Rum's "Darren Lockyer Limited Edition 6YO Release" in 2012 was sold to celebrate his career.

He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in October 2018.

(Correct to 29 July 2011)

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