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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Darren Lockyer
|fullname = Darren James Lockyer
|nickname = Locky
|image = Darren Lockyer (26 October 2008).jpg
|caption = <small>Lockyer playing for [[Australian national rugby league team|Australia]] at the 2008 World Cup</small>
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|3|24|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]
|retired = yes
|height = {{convert|178|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|85|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|FB|FE}}
|club1 = [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|year1start = 1995
|year1end = 11
|appearances1 = 355
|tries1 = 123
|goals1 = 341
|fieldgoals1 = 21
|points1 = 1195
|teamA = [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] ([[Super League (Australia)|SL]])
|yearAstart = 1997
|appearancesA = 2
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 1
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 2
|teamB = [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] ([[Super League (Australia)|SL]])
|yearBstart = 1997
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 4
|triesB = 2
|goalsB = 2
|fieldgoalsB = 1
|pointsB = 13
|teamC = [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
|yearCstart = 1998
|yearCend = 11
|appearancesC = 36
|triesC = 9
|goalsC = 22
|fieldgoalsC = 2
|pointsC = 82
|teamD = [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]
|yearDstart = 1998
|yearDend = 11
|appearancesD = 59
|triesD = 35
|goalsD = 31
|fieldgoalsD = 2
|pointsD = 204
|teamE = [[All Stars Match|NRL All Stars]]
|yearEstart = 2010
|yearEend = 11
|appearancesE = 2
|triesE = 0
|goalsE = 0
|fieldgoalsE = 0
|pointsE = 0
|updated = 22 November 2011
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/darren-lockyer/summary.html RLP]
}}'''Darren Lockyer''' (born 24 March 1977 in [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]]) is an Australian former professional [[rugby league]] footballer. After seventeen seasons he retired in 2011 as captain of the [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian national team]], [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland State of Origin team]] and his club, the [[Brisbane Broncos]], having set records for most ever games with each of them. He set additional all-time records for most [[National Rugby League]] matches, most [[State of Origin]] matches, most games as captain and most tries for the Australian national team, and highest ever point-scorer for the Broncos. Named at fullback of a [[Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century|Queensland team of the century]] (1908-2007), Lockyer won three [[grand finals]] with the Broncos (including a [[Clive Churchill Medal]]), a [[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] with Australia, and the [[Rugby League World Golden Boot Award|Golden Boot Award]] for world's best player in this position before switching to five-eighth. In the halves, Lockyer won a fourth grand final with the Broncos, a record six consecutive [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] series with Queensland, and a second Golden Boot Award. Lockyer has also written a column for Queensland newspaper, ''[[The Courier Mail]]''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26092873-10389,00.html }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

==Biography==
Lockyer was born in [[Brisbane]]. As a child, Lockyer played [[Australian rules football]] in [[Brisbane]] before his parents moved west to [[Wandoan, Queensland]] for 4 years then the family moved to [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]],<ref name="cm">{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Malone|title=The midas touch|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21753488-5003425,00.html|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=19 May 2007|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> both towns that had no local Aussie Rules clubs.

===Playing career===
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, [[Brisbane Broncos 1995|1995]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Harms
| first = John
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story
| publisher = [[University of Queensland]] Press
| year = 2005
| location = Australia
| pages = 173
| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OFE2EZ7JyEkC&dq=steve+renouf&source=gbs_navlinks_s
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 0702235369, 9780702235368}}
</ref> He went on to win the club's rookie of the year award.

====Fullback====
Lockyer was moved permanently to [[Rugby league positions#Fullback|fullback]] at the beginning of the [[Brisbane Broncos 1996 season]]. He first gained representative honours for Queensland the following season in the second [[Super League Tri-series]] match against [[New South Wales]]. Lockyer's try-scoring and goal-kicking ability made him the top point-scorer for the Broncos in 1997 and he went on to play in the club's Grand Final-winning team that year, kicking five goals from six attempts. At the end of the 1997 season Lockyer made his international debut when he was selected to play at fullback for Australia in all games of the [[Super League Test series|three-test series]] against Great Britain in England.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Hadfield
| first = Dave
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Rugby League: Daley in a different league
| work = [[The Independent]]
| publisher = independent.co.uk
| date = 2 November 1997
| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-daley-in-a-different-league-1291749.html
| doi =
| accessdate = 6 October 2009
| location=London}}</ref> 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 [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] and also made his debut for the [[Australian Rugby League]] team against New Zealand,<ref>{{cite book
| last = Menzies
| first = Steve
| authorlink = Steve Menzies
| coauthors = Tasker, Norman
| title = Beaver: The Steve Menzies Story
| publisher = Allen & Unwin
| year = 2008
| location = Australia
| pages = 162
| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MC0_bNv8XNYC&source=gbs_navlinks_s
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 1741755603, 9781741755602}}
</ref> as Kangaroo No. 661.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kangaroos players register|url=http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/kangaroos/register.php|work=australianrugbyleague.com.au|publisher=[[Australian Rugby League]]|accessdate=16 October 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Craven
| first = Gladys
| coauthors =
| title = Show ponies v underdogs
| work = [[The Sun-Herald]]
| place = Australia
| page = 59
| language =
| publisher = [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]]
| date = 27 September 1998
| url = http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980930_0410_0805
| accessdate = 13 February 2011}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Hadfield
| first = Dave
| coauthors =
| title = Sailor floats past to frustrate Kiwis
| work = [[The Independent]]
| place = UK
| page =
| language =
| publisher = independent.co.uk
| date = 6 November 1999
| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-sailor-floats-past-to-frustrate-kiwis-1123849.html
| accessdate = 14 February 2011
| location=London}}</ref>

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<ref>{{cite web|title=Darren Lockyer|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=978596&search_type=quick&showInd=true|publisher=Australian Honours Database|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Davies
| first = Jonathan
| coauthors =
| title = Roll up and glory in the best
| work = The Independent
| place =UK
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Independent News and Media Limited
| date = 22 October 2000
| url = http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/roll-up-and-glory-in-the-best-636039.html
| accessdate = 24 December 2009
| location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Welsh dragons breathe life into tournament but fail to hold on
| work = The Herald
| place =UK
| pages = 9
| language =
| publisher = Newsquest Media Group
| date = 20 November 2000
| url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/64404327.html?dids=64404327:64404327&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+20%2C+2000&author=&pub=The+Herald&desc=Welsh+dragons+breathe+life+into+tournament+but+fail+to+hold+on
| accessdate = 24 December 2009}}</ref>

In March 2001, Lockyer was approached by the [[Australian Football League]] club [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] to switch codes and offered a contract subsequent to a successful trial, however Lockyer chose to stay committed to rugby league.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Andrew Hamilton and Jon Ralph
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Karmichael Hunt's worth $100,000: Paul Roos
| work = heraldsun.com.au
| place =Australia
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Herald and Weekly Times
| date = 31 July 2009
| url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25860614-19742,00.html
| accessdate = 3 December 2009}}</ref> 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 (rugby league)|Chris Walker]], Lockyer was the Broncos' top try-scorer in the [[Brisbane Broncos 2002|2002 season]] and won the club's player of the year award for both the 2002 and [[Brisbane Broncos 2003|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Golden Boot for Lockyer|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/3232714.stm|accessdate=24 July 2011|newspaper=[[BBC]] Sport|date=24 November 2003}} {{Dead link|date=September 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

====Five-eighth====
Lockyer gained some negative media attention at the start of the [[Brisbane Broncos 2004|2004 season]] when he made a careless joke about the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function.<ref>{{cite news|title=Joke lands captain in trouble|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,,2-9-32_1493372,00.html|work=[[News24]]|date=4 March 2004|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.

[[Image:Darren Lockyer cropped.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Lockyer playing for the Broncos in 2004, his first year at five-eighth.]]{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center |width=30em
| quote =The world's greatest fullback is now the world's greatest five-eighth.
| source =[[Phil Gould]], 11 April 2004<ref>{{cite news
| last = Gould
| first = Phil
| coauthors =
| title = Lockyer's move from fullback has worked like a dream
| work = The Sun-Herald
| place =Australia
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Fairfax
| date = 11 April 2004
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/10/1081326979737.html
| accessdate = 25 December 2009}}</ref>
| align =right
}}For the [[2004 Brisbane Broncos season|2004 season]], Broncos' coach [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] moved Lockyer, then established as the world's best fullback, to the [[Rugby league positions#Stand-off|five-eighth]] position where he would get more opportunities with the ball in hand.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Heming
| first = Wayne
| coauthors =
| title = Lockyer open to No.1 jersey at Broncos
| work = wwos.ninemsn.com.au
| place =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = AAP
| date = 3 December 2009
| url = http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=979308&rss=yes
| accessdate = 4 December 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/28/1080412241874.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Lockyer's star turn at five-eighth puts Brisbane over the line | date=29 March 2004}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Pavey
| first = Ainsley
| coauthors =
| title = Lockyer fine on 'Godfather' voice
| work = Sunday Mail, The
| place =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = couriermail.com.au
| date = 15 October 2006
| url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,20580697-5003406,00.html
| accessdate = 6 July 2009}}</ref>

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,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Australia's optimism dented by Lockyer fall|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/australias-optimism-dented-by-lockyer-fall-6143224.html|accessdate=19 November 2011|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=8 November 2005}}</ref> including Australia's loss to New Zealand in the final.

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

However, after the [[ANZAC Test]], in which Lockyer scored two tries in Australia's 50–12 defeat of [[New Zealand national rugby league team|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 [[Rugby league State of Origin results and statistics#Wally Lewis Medal|Wally Lewis Medal]] for player of the series.
[[File:Darren Lockyer.JPG|thumb|right|Lockyer in action for the Broncos]]
Immediately after Queensland's State of Origin success, the Broncos entered a 5-game losing streak, but bounced back to comfortably win their final three premiership games of the season. Despite losing to the [[St George Illawarra Dragons]] in the first week of the finals, the Broncos rebounded to defeat the [[Newcastle Knights]] 50–6. They then won the preliminary final against the Bulldogs 37–20 after trailing 20–6 at half-time, with Lockyer named man of the match.<ref>{{cite news|first=Glenn|last=Jackson|title=Broncos stumble but don't fall|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/broncos-stumble-but-dont-fall/2006/09/24/1159036416020.html|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=25 September 2006|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> He then steered his team to win the 2006 Grand Final 15–8 over [[Melbourne Storm|Melbourne]], setting up both tries and then kicking a winning field goal in the 73rd minute.<ref>{{cite news|first=Greg|last=Prichard|title=Bennett still the master|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/bennett-still-the-master/2006/10/02/1159641211876.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2 October 2006|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref> 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.
{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=left |width=30em
| quote =…can't play five-eighth, shouldn't be captain of Queensland – the list just goes on. Now you all want to applaud him. Thank God for him that he doesn't lose confidence and he is the champion he is.
| source =Brisbane coach [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] at a press conference following the [[2006 NRL Grand Final]].<ref>{{cite news
| last = Walter
| first = Brad
| coauthors =
| title = Coach hails sweetest win
| work = The Sydney Morning Herald
| place =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Fairfax Digital
| date = 2 October 2006
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/coach-hails-sweetest-win/2006/10/01/1159641217280.html
| accessdate = 16 December 2009}}</ref>
| align =right
}}

Lockyer then captained Australia to an extra-time victory in the [[2006 Rugby League Tri-nations|2006 Tri-nations]] final against New Zealand, scoring the match-winning try in Australia's 16–12 victory.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Sydney Football Stadium Magic Moments
| work = sydneycricketground.com.au
| publisher = Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust
| date =
| url = http://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/MM-SFS.html
| doi =
| accessdate = 2 September 2009}}</ref> In the process, he became the top try-scorer in [[Rugby League Tri-Nations|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.<ref>{{cite news|last=AAP|title=Lockyer takes golden boot|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/lockyer-takes-golden-boot/story-e6frexnr-1111112559235|accessdate=24 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=21 November 2006}}</ref> Lockyer was also named [[Dally M Awards|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 [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] series, and the [[Rugby League Tri-Nations|Tri-Nations series]] all in the same year.

=====2007=====

Prior to the NRL season the Broncos, under Lockyer, lost the [[2007 World Club Challenge]] to [[St Helens RLFC|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]].

[[File:Locky.JPG|thumb|left|Lockyer in action for Brisbane]]During the season at the Broncos' 20-year anniversary celebration, the club announced a list of the 20 best players to play for them to date which included Lockyer.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Dekroo
| first = Karl
| coauthors =
| title = Still the king
| work = The Courier-Mail
| place =Australia
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Queensland Newspapers
| date = 9 May 2007
| url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21701434-10389,00.html
| accessdate = 8 December 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

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 Cowboys|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lockyer out for the season|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22074284-23214,00.html|work=[[FoxSportsNews]]|date=14 July 2007|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lockyer faces long injury lay-off|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/6898915.stm|work=BBC News|date=14 July 2007|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref>

Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009<ref name="cm"/> when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in [[Super League]] after watching the [[2007 Challenge Cup Final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Julian|last=Shea|title=Lockyer tempted by Cup challenge|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/6964616.stm|work=BBC News|date=26 August 2007|accessdate=4 September 2007}}</ref>

On 27 October 2007, Lockyer married Loren Pollock, his girlfriend of three years, coincidentally on the same day his immediate predecessor as Australian Test captain, [[Andrew Johns]] also tied the knot.<ref name="Darren Lockyer gets married">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22658992-3102,00.html|title=Darren Lockyer gets married|publisher=Courier Mail|date=27 October 2007|accessdate=27 March 2008 | first=Anooska | last=Tucker-Evans}}</ref>

=====2008=====
[[Image:Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos vs. Newcastle Knights 2008).jpg|thumb|right|Lockyer in 2008]]
Lockyer had been strongly linked with a move to [[Super League]] at the conclusion of the [[National Rugby League season 2008|2008 NRL season]].<ref name="Revealed: Get-out clause in Darren Lockyer's contract">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23150139-5006066,00.html|title=Revealed: Get-out clause in Darren Lockyer's contract|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=3 February 2008|accessdate=4 February 2007 | first1=Phil | last1=Rothfield | first2=Peter | last2=Badel}}</ref> Darren Lockyer has admitted he would like to play in Super League before he retires.<ref name="Lockyer tempted by Super League">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6361063.stm|title=Lockyer tempted by Super League|publisher=BBC|date=15 February 2007|accessdate=4 February 2007 | first=Phil | last=Harlow}}</ref> He has been linked with a move to [[Bradford Bulls]] and [[Catalans Dragons]].<ref name="Lockyer tips French revival">{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2007/08/27/Lockyer-tips-French-revival.aspx|title=Lockyer tips French revival|publisher=RLWC 08|date=27 August 2007|accessdate=4 February 2007}}</ref> Lockyer stated of his desire to move in the future, "Not just playing here but living in a different culture – it's appealing."<ref name="Lockyer tempted by Cup challenge">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6964616.stm|title=Lockyer tempted by Cup challenge|publisher=RLWC 08|date=25 August 2007|accessdate=4 February 2007 | first=Julian | last=Shea}}</ref> He admits he had his appetite for a stint in [[Great Britain|Britain]] whetted by the Rugby League [[Challenge Cup]] final and that he would be open to offers from Super League clubs for his swansong.<ref name="Lockyer ponders UK swansong">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22317027-5001023,00.html|title=Lockyer ponders UK swansong|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=28 August 2007|accessdate=4 February 2007}}</ref> 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 Kingston Rovers|Hull KR]], however is believed to favour a move to Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos.<ref name="Super League six trail Lockyer">{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3398256,00.html|title=Super League six trail Lockyer|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 April 2008|accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="British clubs line up for Lockyer">{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/lockyer-in-demand/2008/04/07/1207420302395.html|title=British clubs line up for Lockyer|publisher=LeagueHQ|date=8 April 2008|accessdate=8 April 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="Hull KR join race to sign Lockyer">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/hull_kr/7336760.stm|title=Hull KR join race to sign Lockyer|publisher=BBC|date=8 April 2008|accessdate=8 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="MORGAN CONFIRMS LOCKYER INTEREST">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/08/manual_120718.html|title=MORGAN CONFIRMS LOCKYER INTEREST|publisher=Sportinglife|date=9 April 2008|accessdate=9 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="RACE IS ON FOR LOCKYER">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/08/RUGBYL_Column.html|title=RACE IS ON FOR LOCKYER|publisher=Sportinglife|date=9 April 2008|accessdate=9 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="
SUPER LEAGUE CLUBS JOIN LOCKYER HUNT">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/04/07/RUGBYL_Lockyer.html|title=
SUPER LEAGUE CLUBS JOIN LOCKYER HUNT|publisher=Sportinglife|date=9 April 2008|accessdate=9 April 2008}}</ref>

Following confirmation that coach [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]] would leave the [[Brisbane Broncos|Broncos]] at the end of the [[2008 NRL season]], Lockyer was linked with a number of clubs, such as the [[Wigan Warriors]].<ref name="Bennett To Finish In 2008">{{cite web|url=
http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?MenuID=270&NewsID=3392|title=Bennett To Finish In 2008|publisher=Brisbane Broncos|date=5 February 2008|accessdate=5 February 2008 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080212235129/http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?MenuID=270&NewsID=3392 |archivedate = 12 February 2008}}</ref><ref name="Wigan gun for Locky's signature">{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/wigan-want-lockys-signature/2008/05/02/1209235154351.html|title=Wigan gun for Locky's signature|publisher=LeagueHQ|date=3 May 2008|accessdate=2 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="Wigan look to future">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/08/05/07/RUGBYL_Wigan.html|title=Wigan look to future|publisher=Sportinglife|date=7 May 2008|accessdate=7 May 2008}}</ref>

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 [[Australia_national_rugby_league_team#Rugby_League_World_Cup_Squad|preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad]] for the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Liam FitzGibbon|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Surprises in Kangaroos squad|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24111780-23214,00.html|accessdate=2 August 2008|date=1 August 2008}}</ref><ref name="Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad">{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/01/sports/AS-RGL-Australia-Squad.php|title=Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=1 August 2008|accessdate=2 August 2008}}</ref> and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man [[2008 Rugby League World Cup squads#Australia|Australia]] squad.<ref name="Manly six win Australia call-up">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656211.stm|title=Manly six win Australia call-up|publisher=BBC|date=7 October 2008|accessdate=7 October 2008}}</ref> He was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live.<ref name="World Cup Players to Watch">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrllive.com.au/world-cup-players-to-watch-pool-a/|title=World Cup Players to Watch|publisher=NRL Live|date=17 October 2008|accessdate=20 October 2008}}</ref> 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=====
[[Image:Australia national rugby league team (8 May 2009, Brisbane).jpg|thumb|left|150px|Captain Lockyer kicking off for the Australian side in 2009.]]Lockyer was selected for [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] to play in the one-off test match against [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] on 8 May 2009.<ref>He played his milestone 300th NRL game in round 8 of the 2009 NRL competition against the Newcastle Knights{{cite news|publisher=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|title=Kangaroos selectors stick by losing World Cup team for New Zealand Test |first=Tom|last=Wald|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25422175-5016947,00.html |date=3 May 2009|accessdate=3 May 2009}}</ref> In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]] in the opening [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] match for 2009,<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25398645-5016947,00.html |title=Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad|accessdate=28 April 2009|date=28 April 2009|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxsports.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C8659%2C25398645-5016947%2C00.html&date=2009-05-28|archivedate=28 May 2009}}</ref> and was subsequently picked for the opening State of Origin match .<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25541806-5018993,00.html|title=South Sydney enforcer Michael Crocker called up for Maroons|date=26 May 2009|accessdate=28 May 2009|publisher=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxsports.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C8659%2C25541806-5018993%2C00.html&date=2009-05-28 |archivedate=28 May 2009}}</ref> 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 it 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.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Jancetic
| first = Steve
| coauthors =
| title = Morris not minor in his Test debut
| work = watoday.com.au
| place = Australia
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Fairfax Digital
| date = 8 November 2009
| url = http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/morris-not-minor-in-his-test-debut-20091109-i3s3.html
| accessdate = 22 November 2009}}</ref>

=====2010=====
Around the start of the 2010 NRL season, there was massive media speculation about whether Lockyer would retire from representative football.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Heming
| first = Wayne
| coauthors = AAP
| title = Lockyer an Immortal-in-waiting
| work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
| place =Australia
| publisher = Fairfax
| date = 22 May 2010
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/lockyer-an-immortalinwaiting-20100521-w1rf.html
| accessdate = 21 May 2010}}</ref> He opted to continue making himself available to selectors and continued captaining the Kangaroos, taking Australia to victory in the [[2010 ANZAC Test]].

Lockyer's wife gave birth to their first child, a boy named Sonny James, on 29 April 2010, a month out from State of Origin.

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.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Edwards
| first = Brent
| coauthors =
| title = Legend Lockyer an inspiration
| work = [[New Zealand Herald]]
| place =New Zealand
| publisher = APN Holdings NZ Limited
| date = 27 June 2010
| url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10654798
| accessdate = 29 June 2010}}</ref> Lockyer suffered a rib injury three weeks out from the finals series with the Broncos teetering in 8th place. Brisbane went on to miss the 8 (finishing 10th) for the first time in 18 years, Lockyers injury was the main factor in this as he did not play a single game after it and Brisbane failed to win another game.

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

=====2011=====
{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center |width=30em
| quote ="Wally Lewis was a magnificent player at Origin level but Locky has gone past The King for mine. He's already gone ahead of Andrew Johns, don't worry about that.
| source =Former [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin]] captain and coach [[Tommy Raudonikis]], 3 May 2011<ref>{{cite news
| last = Raudonikis
| first = Tommy
| coauthors =
| title = Tommy rates him better than Wally Lewis
| work = Daily Telegraph
| place =Australia
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Newscorp
| date = 3 May 2011
| url = http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/benji-marshall-says-darren-lockyer-still-kingpin-of-playmakers-as-tommy-raudonikis-rates-him-better-than-wally-lewis/story-e6frep66-1226048699413
| accessdate = 7 July 2011}}</ref>
| align =right
}}
After performing well at Broncos pre-season training in January, Lockyer declared himself available for the full representative football calendar of 2011.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/lockyer-eyes-records-as-he-continues-representative-career-20110103-19dne.html Lockyer eyes records as he continues representative career] (3 January 2011) ''[[the Sydney Morning Herald]]''</ref>

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 [[Broncos|Brisbane Broncos]] team-mates, [[Justin Hodges]], [[Jharal Yow Yeh]], [[Sam Thaiday]] and [[Ben Hannant]], as well as 9 team-mates from his [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland team]]; [[Billy Slater]], [[Greg Inglis]], [[Johnathan Thurston]], [[Petero Civoniceva]], [[Cameron Smith]], [[Matthew Scott (rugby league)|Matt Scott]], [[Cooper Cronk]] and [[David Shillington|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 I of the [[2011 State of Origin series]] 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 (rugby league)|Corey Parker]] and [[Ben Hannant]], as well as two former team-mates, [[Petero Civoneceva]] and [[Darius Boyd]]. Which would have been three until [[David Taylor (rugby league)|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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Margie|first=McDonald|title=Darren Lockyer's magical history tour just keeps rolling on|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/darren-lockyers-magical-history-tour-just-keeps-rolling-on/story-e6frg7mf-1226114103202|accessdate=13 August 2011|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=13 August 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honour Board|url=http://www.broncos.com.au/default.aspx?s=honour-board|work=broncos.com.au|publisher=[[Brisbane Broncos]]|accessdate=13 November 2011}}</ref>

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.

===Post-playing===
Lockyer had a second son on 14 January 2012 called Flynn. Lockyer began a career in television commentary for rugby league matches in 2012. Though opting not to have surgery to remove the chipped bone in his throat, he decided to see a speech therapist to help his tone for TV commentary.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dorries|first=Ben|title=Darren Lockyer in speech therapy for TV commentary role - but the gravelly voice stays|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/locky-tunes-up-for-commentary-role/story-e6frep66-1226274760403|accessdate=19 February 2012|newspaper=[[The Sunday Mail]]|date=19 February 2012}}</ref>

== Honours and career highlights ==
In February 2008, Lockyer was named in a list of Australia's [[List of Australian rugby league's 100 greatest players|''100 Greatest Players'']] (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the [[National Rugby League|NRL]] and [[Australian Rugby League|ARL]] to
celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=''[[National Rugby League|NRL]] & [[Australian Rugby League|ARL]]''|title=Centenary of Rugby League – The Players|
url=http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au/site/the-players.aspx?cat=3&list=true|accessdate=23 February 2008|date=23 February 2008}}</ref> In June 2008, he was chosen in the [[Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century]] at fullback.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23843448-10389,00.html|publisher=''[[The Courier-Mail]]''|date=10 June 2008|title=Locky named No.1 but Wal's still King|accessdate=20 May 2009|first=Steve|last=Ricketts|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fcouriermail%2Fstory%2F0%2C23739%2C23843448-10389%2C00.html&date=2009-05-20|archivedate=20 May 2009}}</ref>

In 2008, [[rugby league in Australia]]'s centenary year, Lockyer was named at fullback in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leslie|first=Cameron|title=Rugby League Team of the Century named|url=http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2008/08/21/team-of-greats-shows-depthof-south-west/|accessdate=8 January 2012|newspaper=[[The Toowoomba Chronicle|The Chronicle]]|date=21 August 2008}}</ref>

In 2011 part of the [[Warrego Highway]] between Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour.<ref name="hsr">{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-28/warrego-highway-honours-broncos-skipper/3026080?section=qld |title=Highway section renamed to honour Lockyer |accessdate=28 September 2011 |date=28 September 2011 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation }}</ref> Also, the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland State Government]] has agreed to sculpting a life size <ref>bronze statue of Darren Lockyer http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/bronze-statue-of-darren-lockyer-to-join-one-of-rugby-league-king-wally-lewis-at-suncorp-stadium/story-e6frepbx-1226060261088</ref> standing next to 'The King', [[Wally Lewis]] outside [[Lang Park|Lang park]] in honour of his achievements in [[Queensland Rugby League]].
=== Brisbane Broncos ===
* First Grade Debut v [[Parramatta Eels|Eels]] Round 13, [[Brisbane Broncos 1995|1995]] (Broncos won 60–14).
* [[Brisbane Broncos Honours#Club Honours|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).
* [[Brisbane Broncos Records#Most points in a season|Most points in one season]]: 272 in [[Brisbane Broncos 1998|1998]]
* Member of the 4th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 1998 (Broncos defeated Bulldogs 38–12, Lockyer scored 5 goals; 10 points).
* Member of the 5th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 2000 (Broncos defeated Roosters 14–6)
* [[Clive Churchill Medal]] Winner 2000
* [[Brisbane Broncos Honours#Club Honours|Club Player of the Year]] 2002,2003
* Changed Position from Fullback to Five-Eighth at start of 2004 at request of [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]]
* Captain 2005–2011
* [[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)
* [[Brisbane Broncos Honours#Club Honours|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

{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 355 || 123 || 341/506 || 21 || 1,195 || 5 December 2011
|-
|}

=== Queensland Maroons ===
(Correct to 29 July 2011)
* Played in a record 36 State of Origin Games
* [[Rugby league State of Origin results and statistics#Man of the Match awards|Man of the Match]] 4 times
* Played 2 [[Super League (Australia)#Tri-series|Tri-Series]] Matches for Queensland during the [[Super League (Australia) season 1997|1997 Super League Season]] (1 goal; 2 points)
* Captained in 22 State of Origin Games (second only to Wally Lewis with 30)
* [[Rugby league State of Origin results and statistics#Wally Lewis Medal|Wally Lewis Medal]] for player of the series, 2006
* Part of the Series Winning Sides in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (also drawn series in 1999 and 2002)
* Captain of the Series Winning Sides in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (injured for all three games in the 2008 series)

{| 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 ===
* 59 Test Matches for Australia
* Played in 4 test matches during the 1997 Super League Season (2 tries; 2 goals; 1 field goal; 13 points) which the Australian Rugby League does not count towards official test records
* Australian Kangaroos Captain 2003–2011
* Record 38 test matches as captain
* Highest Kangaroos try-Scorer with 35 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 (while playing fullback)
* Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2006 (while playing five-eighth)

{| class="wikitable" width=38%
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! F/G !! Points !! Correct to
|-
| 59 || 35 || 31 || 2 || 204 || 19 November 2011
|-
|}

==See also==
[[Warrego Highway]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.broncos.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=1208&team=Broncos&darren-lockyer Brisbane Broncos profile]
*[http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/darrenlockyer Darren Lockyer Footysocial profile]
*{{StateofOrigin player|354}}
*{{FOGS player|3}}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2001/ashes/lockyer.stm Darren Lockyer's 2001 Ashes profile at news.bbc.co.uk]
*[http://nz.leagueunlimited.com/news.php?newsid=16380 ''Queensland Team of the Century named'' – article at nz.leagueunlimited.com]
<br />
{{S-start}}
{{S-sports}}
{{succession box|before=[[Gorden Tallis]]<br />2001–2004|title=Captain<br />[[Brisbane Broncos]]|years=2005-2011|after=[[Sam Thaiday]]<br />2012-<br >}}}}
{{Succession box|before=[[Gorden Tallis]]<br />2001|title=Captain<br />[[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland Maroons]]|years=2001|after=[[Gorden Tallis]]<br />2002–2003}}
{{Succession box|before=[[Gorden Tallis]]<br />2001–2004|title=Captain<br />[[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland Maroons]]|years=2004–2007<br> 2009-2011|after=[[Cameron Smith]]<br />2008<br >(Due to injury)}}
{{incumbent succession box|before=[[Andrew Johns]]<br />2002–2003|title=Captain<br />[[Australian Kangaroos]]|start=2003-2011|after=[[Cameron Smith]]<br />2008<br >(Due to injury)}}
{{S-ach|aw}}
{{Succession box|title=[[Clive Churchill Medal]]list|before=[[Brett Kimmorley]] ([[Melbourne Storm]])|after=[[Andrew Johns]] ([[Newcastle Knights]])|years=2000}}
{{S-end}}

{{Brisbane Broncos}}
{{Brisbane Broncos captains}}
{{Brisbane Broncos squad 1997 Super League premiership}}
{{Brisbane Broncos squad 1998 NRL premiership}}
{{Brisbane Broncos squad 2000 NRL premiership}}
{{Brisbane Broncos squad 2006 NRL premiership}}
{{Australia squad 2000 Rugby League World Cup}}
{{Australia 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Australia squad - 2009 Rugby League Four Nations Champions}}
{{Rugby League Golden Boot Award Winners}}
{{The Queensland Rugby League Team of the Century}}
{{Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century}}
{{Rugby league footballers with 325 NRL games}}
{{Clive Churchill Medallists}}

<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME=Lockyer, Darren
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Australia [[rugby league]] player
|DATE OF BIRTH=23 March 1977
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Brisbane]], Queensland, Australia
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lockyer, Darren}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:People from Roma, Queensland]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Brisbane Broncos players]]
[[Category:Brisbane Broncos captains]]
[[Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin captains]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal]]
[[Category:Clive Churchill Medal winners]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby league team captains]]
[[Category:NRL All Stars players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rugby league fullbacks]]
[[Category:Rugby league five-eighths]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Rugby league halfbacks]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Brisbane]]

[[de:Darren Lockyer]]
[[fr:Darren Lockyer]]

Revision as of 05:04, 27 February 2012

Darren Lockyer
Lockyer playing for Australia at the 2008 World Cup
Personal information
Full nameDarren James Lockyer
Born (1977-03-24) 24 March 1977 (age 47)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
PositionFullback, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–11 Brisbane Broncos 355 123 341 21 1195
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1997 Queensland (SL) 2 0 1 0 2
1997 Australia (SL) 4 2 2 1 13
1998–11 Queensland 36 9 22 2 82
1998–11 Australia 59 35 31 2 204
2010–11 NRL All Stars 2 0 0 0 0
Source: RLP

Darren Lockyer (born 24 March 1977 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. After seventeen seasons he retired in 2011 as captain of the Australian national team, Queensland State of Origin team and his club, the Brisbane Broncos, having set records for most ever games with each of them. He set additional all-time records for most National Rugby League matches, most State of Origin matches, most games as captain and most tries for the Australian national team, and highest ever point-scorer for the Broncos. Named at fullback of a Queensland team of the century (1908-2007), Lockyer won three grand finals with the Broncos (including a Clive Churchill Medal), a World Cup with Australia, and the Golden Boot Award for world's best player in this position before switching to five-eighth. In the halves, Lockyer won a fourth grand final with the Broncos, a record six consecutive State of Origin series with Queensland, and a second Golden Boot Award. Lockyer has also written a column for Queensland newspaper, The Courier Mail.[1]

Biography

Lockyer was born in Brisbane. As a child, Lockyer played Australian rules football in Brisbane before his parents moved west to Wandoan, Queensland for 4 years then the family moved to Roma,[2] both towns that had no local Aussie Rules clubs.

Playing career

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.[3] He went on to win the club's rookie of the year award.

Fullback

Lockyer was moved permanently to fullback at the beginning of the Brisbane Broncos 1996 season. He first gained representative honours for Queensland the following season in the second Super League Tri-series match against New South Wales. Lockyer's try-scoring and goal-kicking ability made him the top point-scorer for the Broncos in 1997 and he went on to play in the club's Grand Final-winning team that year, kicking five goals from six attempts. At the end of the 1997 season Lockyer made his international debut when he was selected to play at fullback for Australia in all games of the three-test series against Great Britain in England.[4] 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,[5] as Kangaroo No. 661.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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[9] 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.[10][11]

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.[12] Later that year, following Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis' season-ending neck injury before the second game of the 2001 State of Origin series, the Maroons' captaincy was handed to Lockyer. In the third and deciding game of the series, Lockyer was named man-of-the-match, having scored two tries and kicked four goals to help Queensland to victory. At the end of the season he went on the 2001 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain.

Along with Lote Tuqiri and Chris Walker, Lockyer was the Broncos' top try-scorer in the 2002 season and won the club's player of the year award for both the 2002 and 2003 seasons. At the end of the 2003 NRL season, the retirement of Tallis from representative football meant that the Kangaroos captaincy was handed to Lockyer shortly before the 2003 Kangaroo tour. In addition he won the first of his Rugby League World Golden Boot Awards for the world's best international rugby league player that year.[13]

Five-eighth

Lockyer gained some negative media attention at the start of the 2004 season when he made a careless joke about the Bulldogs' gang rape allegation at a Queensland sports function.[14] Being the Australian captain, Lockyer was rebuked by national officials and quickly apologised for the comment.

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

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

Phil Gould, 11 April 2004[15]

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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18]

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,[19] including Australia's loss to New Zealand in the final.

2006

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

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

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

Lockyer in action for the Broncos

Immediately after Queensland's State of Origin success, the Broncos entered a 5-game losing streak, but bounced back to comfortably win their final three premiership games of the season. Despite losing to the St George Illawarra Dragons in the first week of the finals, the Broncos rebounded to defeat the Newcastle Knights 50–6. They then won the preliminary final against the Bulldogs 37–20 after trailing 20–6 at half-time, with Lockyer named man of the match.[20] 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.[21] This was Lockyer's fourth premiership (first as captain), and the Broncos' sixth. Lockyer was also the Broncos' top try-scorer (together with Tame Tupou) for the 2006 season.

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

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett at a press conference following the 2006 NRL Grand Final.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24] Lockyer was also named Dally M five-eighth and representative player of the year, the Broncos' best back, and people's choice player of the year, as well as being a finalist in the Queensland Sports Star of the Year award.

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

2007

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

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

Lockyer in action for Brisbane

During the season at the Broncos' 20-year anniversary celebration, the club announced a list of the 20 best players to play for them to date which included Lockyer.[25]

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.[26][27]

Lockyer was at the time contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2009[2] when he admitted he that he was interested in playing in Super League after watching the 2007 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.[28]

On 27 October 2007, Lockyer married Loren Pollock, his girlfriend of three years, coincidentally on the same day his immediate predecessor as Australian Test captain, Andrew Johns also tied the knot.[29]

2008
Lockyer in 2008

Lockyer had been strongly linked with a move to Super League at the conclusion of the 2008 NRL season.[30] Darren Lockyer has admitted he would like to play in Super League before he retires.[31] He has been linked with a move to Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons.[32] Lockyer stated of his desire to move in the future, "Not just playing here but living in a different culture – it's appealing."[33] 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.[34] 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.[35][36][37][38][39][40]

Following confirmation that coach Wayne Bennett would leave the Broncos at the end of the 2008 NRL season, Lockyer was linked with a number of clubs, such as the Wigan Warriors.[41][42][43]

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,[44][45] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad.[46] He was considered one of the 2008 World Cup 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live.[47] Lockyer scored two tries and was awarded the player of the match medal in the losing effort against the Kiwis at the World Cup final.

2009
Captain Lockyer kicking off for the Australian side in 2009.

Lockyer was selected for Australia to play in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.[48] In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin match for 2009,[49] and was subsequently picked for the opening State of Origin match .[50] 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 it 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.[51]

2010

Around the start of the 2010 NRL season, there was massive media speculation about whether Lockyer would retire from representative football.[52] He opted to continue making himself available to selectors and continued captaining the Kangaroos, taking Australia to victory in the 2010 ANZAC Test.

Lockyer's wife gave birth to their first child, a boy named Sonny James, on 29 April 2010, a month out from State of Origin.

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.[53] Lockyer suffered a rib injury three weeks out from the finals series with the Broncos teetering in 8th place. Brisbane went on to miss the 8 (finishing 10th) for the first time in 18 years, Lockyers injury was the main factor in this as he did not play a single game after it and Brisbane failed to win another game.

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

2011

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

Former New South Wales State of Origin captain and coach Tommy Raudonikis, 3 May 2011[54]

After performing well at Broncos pre-season training in January, Lockyer declared himself available for the full representative football calendar of 2011.[55]

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 I of the 2011 State of Origin series 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.[56] 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.[57]

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.

Post-playing

Lockyer had a second son on 14 January 2012 called Flynn. Lockyer began a career in television commentary for rugby league matches in 2012. Though opting not to have surgery to remove the chipped bone in his throat, he decided to see a speech therapist to help his tone for TV commentary.[58]

Honours and career highlights

In February 2008, Lockyer was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia, the only current player to make the list.[59] In June 2008, he was chosen in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century at fullback.[60]

In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Lockyer was named at fullback in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.[61]

In 2011 part of the Warrego Highway between Ipswich and Toowoomba was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour.[62] Also, the Queensland State Government has agreed to sculpting a life size [63] standing next to 'The King', Wally Lewis outside Lang park in honour of his achievements in Queensland Rugby League.

Brisbane Broncos

  • First Grade Debut v Eels Round 13, 1995 (Broncos won 60–14).
  • Club Rookie of the Year 1995
  • Member of the 1997 Super League World Club Challenge winning Broncos side (Broncos defeated Hunter Mariners 36–12).
  • Member of the 3rd Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 1997 (Broncos defeated Sharks 26–8, Lockyer scored 5 goals; 10 points).
  • Most points in one season: 272 in 1998
  • Member of the 4th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 1998 (Broncos defeated Bulldogs 38–12, Lockyer scored 5 goals; 10 points).
  • Member of the 5th Broncos Premiership Winning Team in 2000 (Broncos defeated Roosters 14–6)
  • Clive Churchill Medal Winner 2000
  • Club Player of the Year 2002,2003
  • Changed Position from Fullback to Five-Eighth at start of 2004 at request of Wayne Bennett
  • Captain 2005–2011
  • 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
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
355 123 341/506 21 1,195 5 December 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 Season (1 goal; 2 points)
  • Captained in 22 State of Origin Games (second only to Wally Lewis with 30)
  • Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, 2006
  • Part of the Series Winning Sides in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (also drawn series in 1999 and 2002)
  • Captain of the Series Winning Sides in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (injured for all three games in the 2008 series)
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
36 9 22/30 2 82 29 July 2011

Australian Kangaroos

  • 59 Test Matches for Australia
  • Played in 4 test matches during the 1997 Super League Season (2 tries; 2 goals; 1 field goal; 13 points) which the Australian Rugby League does not count towards official test records
  • Australian Kangaroos Captain 2003–2011
  • Record 38 test matches as captain
  • Highest Kangaroos try-Scorer with 35 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 (while playing fullback)
  • Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2006 (while playing five-eighth)
Apps Tries Goals F/G Points Correct to
59 35 31 2 204 19 November 2011

See also

Warrego Highway

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  48. ^ He played his milestone 300th NRL game in round 8 of the 2009 NRL competition against the Newcastle KnightsWald, Tom (3 May 2009). "Kangaroos selectors stick by losing World Cup team for New Zealand Test". Fox Sports. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  49. ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  50. ^ "South Sydney enforcer Michael Crocker called up for Maroons". Fox Sports. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  51. ^ Jancetic, Steve (8 November 2009). "Morris not minor in his Test debut". watoday.com.au. Australia: Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 22 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  52. ^ Heming, Wayne (22 May 2010). "Lockyer an Immortal-in-waiting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax. Retrieved 21 May 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ Edwards, Brent (27 June 2010). "Legend Lockyer an inspiration". New Zealand Herald. New Zealand: APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 29 June 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  54. ^ Raudonikis, Tommy (3 May 2011). "Tommy rates him better than Wally Lewis". Daily Telegraph. Australia: Newscorp. Retrieved 7 July 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  55. ^ Lockyer eyes records as he continues representative career (3 January 2011) the Sydney Morning Herald
  56. ^ Margie, McDonald (13 August 2011). "Darren Lockyer's magical history tour just keeps rolling on". The Australian. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  57. ^ "Honour Board". broncos.com.au. Brisbane Broncos. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  58. ^ Dorries, Ben (19 February 2012). "Darren Lockyer in speech therapy for TV commentary role - but the gravelly voice stays". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  59. ^ "Centenary of Rugby League – The Players". NRL & ARL. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  60. ^ Ricketts, Steve (10 June 2008). "Locky named No.1 but Wal's still King". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  61. ^ Leslie, Cameron (21 August 2008). "Rugby League Team of the Century named". The Chronicle. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  62. ^ "Highway section renamed to honour Lockyer". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  63. ^ bronze statue of Darren Lockyer http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/bronze-statue-of-darren-lockyer-to-join-one-of-rugby-league-king-wally-lewis-at-suncorp-stadium/story-e6frepbx-1226060261088


Template:Incumbent succession box
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Gorden Tallis
2001–2004
Captain
Brisbane Broncos

2005-2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Captain
Queensland Maroons

2001
Succeeded by
Gorden Tallis
2002–2003
Preceded by
Gorden Tallis
2001–2004
Captain
Queensland Maroons

2004–2007
2009-2011
Succeeded by
Cameron Smith
2008
(Due to injury)
Awards
Preceded by Clive Churchill Medallist
2000
Succeeded by

Template:Persondata