Darren Lockyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Darren Lockyer

Personal information
Full name	Darren James Lockyer
Born	(1977-03-24) 24 March 1977 (age 48) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
Position	Five-eighth, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1995–2011 Brisbane Broncos 355 122 341 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 1998–2011 Queensland 36 9 22 2 82 1998–2011 Australia 59 35 31 2 204 2010–2011 NRL All Stars 2 0 0 0 0

Darren James Lockyer (born 24 March 1977) is an Australian television commentator and a famous former professional rugby league player. He played his entire career with the Brisbane Broncos. Darren Lockyer was also captain for the Australian national team and the Queensland State team. Many people think he is one of the best players ever in two different positions: fullback and five-eighth.

During his 16-year career, he set many records. He played the most games for his club, state, and country. He also holds records for the most games in the National Rugby League, most State of Origin games, most games as captain, and most tries for the Australian national team.

As a fullback (fullback), Lockyer helped the Broncos win three grand finals. He won another grand final as a five-eighth. He also won a World Cup with Australia. He received the Golden Boot Award for being the world's best player. He was even named as the fullback in Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century (1909–2008). In 2004, he changed his playing position to five-eighth (five-eighth). After this change, he won another grand final with the Broncos. He also won five more State of Origin series with Queensland and a second Golden Boot Award.

Early Life and Rugby League Start

Lockyer at the Sheraton, Brisbane.

Darren Lockyer was born in Brisbane, Queensland. His dad, David, played Australian rules football. He introduced Darren to the game when Darren was four years old. Darren started playing Aussie rules for Springwood at age six. He did very well in his first season.

His family later moved to a small country town called Wandoan. It was hard to travel for Australian rules games there. Also, there were not many Aussie rules clubs nearby. So, Darren stopped playing Australian rules football and started playing rugby league.

He played rugby league for his school and club in Wandoan for four years. Then, he moved to Roma and played for the Cities Gladiators. He played his first senior game at 15 as a five-eighth for his Roma club. In 1990, a Queensland Rugby League officer named Glenn Bayliss noticed young Lockyer. He told Brisbane Broncos scout Cyril Connell about him.

In 1994, Lockyer impressed coach Wayne Bennett at a junior rugby league event. After this, he moved to Brisbane. He accepted a $2000 scholarship with the Broncos. He also worked as a bartender at the Broncos Leagues Club. Later that year, he signed a $10,000 playing contract with the Broncos.

Playing Career Highlights

Lockyer made his first professional game debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 1995. He was 18 years old and came off the bench as a five-eighth. The Broncos won that game 60–14 against the Parramatta Eels. He was named the Broncos' rookie of the year in 1995. He played 11 games in different positions and scored 3 tries.

Becoming a Fullback

1997: First Grand Final Win

In 1997, coach Wayne Bennett moved Lockyer to the fullback (fullback) position for good. He also started kicking goals for the team. That year, Lockyer played for Queensland in the Super League Tri-series. He scored many tries and kicked many goals, becoming the Broncos' top point-scorer.

The Broncos finished first in the Super League. They also won the 1997 World Club Challenge. Lockyer played a key role in the Grand Final win against the Cronulla Sharks. He kicked 10 goals in the finals, helping the Broncos win their first major title with him. After this, Lockyer played for Australia in a series against Great Britain.

1998: More Success and Records

In 1998, Lockyer played fullback for Queensland in all three games of the 1998 State of Origin series. Queensland won the series, and Lockyer was the top point-scorer. He also played his first official game for the Australian team against New Zealand.

Lockyer broke the Broncos' record for most points in a season, scoring 272 points. This included 19 tries and 90 goals. The Broncos finished first again and won their fourth premiership by beating the Canterbury Bulldogs 38–12 in the Grand Final. Lockyer's amazing season earned him the Dally M Fullback Of The Year award.

2000: Clive Churchill Medal and World Cup

In 2000, Lockyer played fullback in all three games of the 2000 State of Origin series. The Broncos were back on top of the NRL. They won the minor premiership and had the best attack and defense. Brisbane beat the Sydney Roosters 14–6 in the Grand Final. Lockyer won the Clive Churchill Medal as the best player in that game.

He also played for Australia in the 2000 World Cup. He played five games, including the final, where Australia beat New Zealand 40–12. People started calling Lockyer the best fullback in the world. He also received the Australian Sports Medal for his contributions to rugby league.

2001: Captaincy and Awards

In 2001, the Broncos played in the 2001 World Club Challenge in England. Lockyer played fullback in their loss. Later that year, Lockyer became the captain of Queensland for the 2001 State of Origin series. He was named man-of-the-match in the third game, scoring two tries and kicking four goals to help Queensland win. He also won the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland's player of the series.

Lockyer won several awards that year, including Dally M Fullback Of The Year and Dally M Representative Player Of The Year. He also played for Australia in the 2001 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain.

2003: Australian Captain and Golden Boot

In 2003, Lockyer was Queensland's fullback for the 2003 State of Origin series. After the Australian national captain, Gorden Tallis, retired, Lockyer became the new captain of the Kangaroos. He led Australia to victory over Great Britain. He also won his first Golden Boot Award for the best international rugby league player. He received his second Ron McAuliffe Medal.

Switch to Five-eighth

2004: New Position, More Awards

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

In 2004, coach Wayne Bennett moved Lockyer to the five-eighth (five-eighth) position. This allowed him to have the ball more often. Even though he was new to the position, he was chosen for Queensland and Australia. He remained captain of both teams.

Lockyer won many awards in his first season as five-eighth. These included Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year and the Provan Summons Medal. He also won the RLIF Back Of The Year for his performance in Australia's Tri Nations win. During a game in 2004, Lockyer injured his throat, which caused his voice to sound husky.

2006: Grand Slam of Titles

The 2006 season started tough for Lockyer and the Broncos. But Lockyer's performance improved, and he was selected as five-eighth and captain for Queensland in the 2006 State of Origin series. Queensland made a great comeback, winning the series. Lockyer received the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.

After the Origin success, Lockyer led the Broncos to win the 2006 NRL Grand Final 15–8 against Melbourne. He set up two tries and kicked a winning field goal. This was Lockyer's fourth premiership and his first as captain. He also won his second Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year and Dally M Representative Player Of The Year awards.

Lockyer then captained Australia to win the 2006 Tri-nations Final against New Zealand. He scored the winning try. He also became the top try-scorer in Tri-Nations history. For the second time, he won the Golden Boot Award for international player of the year. 2006 was a fantastic year for Lockyer. He became the first person since Allan Langer 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.

2007-2010: Injuries and More Records

Lockyer having his portrait painted in 2007.

In 2007, Lockyer injured his ankle but recovered to play in the 2007 State of Origin series. He captained Queensland to their second straight Origin title. Later that year, he suffered a serious knee injury (ruptured ACL) that ended his season. Despite the injury, he was named Dally M Five-Eighth Of The Year for the third time.

In 2008, Lockyer's knee injury continued to cause problems, and he missed the entire Origin series. However, he returned to play for Australia in the 2008 World Cup as captain.

In 2009, Lockyer played his 300th first-grade game. He returned to captain Queensland, leading them to a record fourth consecutive series victory. He also broke records for most games played for Australia and most games as Australian captain during the 2009 Four Nations tournament.

In 2010, Lockyer captained Queensland to their record-breaking fifth straight series win. He also broke the Australian national team's all-time try-scoring record, scoring his 34th try against Papua New Guinea.

2011: Farewell Season and Final Triumphs

In March 2011, Lockyer announced that the 2011 season would be his last in the National Rugby League. He continued to play at the highest level. On 1 May, he captained Australia to a 20–10 victory in his final ANZAC Test match. He equaled Ruben Wiki's record of 55 Test games.

Lockyer played his 34th game for Queensland in the 2011 State of Origin series, equaling Allan Langer's record. He ended his amazing Origin career with six straight series wins. In August, Lockyer broke the record for most NRL games played, reaching 350 games.

In the finals series, Lockyer suffered a fractured cheekbone but played through the pain. In what would be his last act in a Broncos jersey, he kicked a field goal in extra time to win the game. He was forced to miss the Preliminary Final due to his injury, which ended his legendary club career. He was named the 2011 Brisbane Broncos season's player of the year.

Lockyer ended his career by captaining the Australian national team to victory in the 2011 Four Nations. His very last match was the Four Nations final against England, where he scored a try.

Honours and Career Highlights

In February 2008, Lockyer was named in a list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007). He was the only active player on the list. In June 2008, he was chosen as the fullback in the Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century.

In 2011, part of the Warrego Highway was renamed Darren Lockyer Way in his honour. The Queensland State Government also created a life-size bronze statue of Darren Lockyer. It stands next to 'The King', Wally Lewis, outside Lang Park.

In October 2018, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Brisbane Broncos Achievements

• 3x Dally M. Medal Fullback of the Year: 1998, 2001, 2002
• 3x Dally M. Medal Five-Eighth of the Year: 2004, 2006, 2007
• 2x Dally M. Medal Representative Player of the Year: 2001, 2006
• Clive Churchill Medal Winner 2000
• First Grade Debut: Round 13, 1995 against Eels (Broncos won 60–14).
• Club Rookie of the Year 1995
• Won the 1997 Super League World Club Challenge.
• Member of the 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2006 Broncos Premiership Winning Teams.
• Most points in one season: 272 in 1998.
• Club Player of the Year 2002, 2003, and 2011.
• Captain from 2005–2011.
• Highest Ever Brisbane Point-Scorer with 1,220 Club Points.
• Club Best Back Award 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006.
• Highest capped Broncos player – 355 games.
• Most games at a single club – 355 games.

Queensland Maroons Achievements

• Played in a record 36 State of Origin Games.
• Man of the Match 3 times (2001, 2006, 2010).
• Captained in 22 State of Origin Games (second only to Wally Lewis).
• Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, 2006.
• Part of the Series Winning Sides in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
• Captain of the Series Winning Sides in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Australian Kangaroos Achievements

Lockyer with his wife Loren at the 2012 Dally M Awards

• 59 Test matches for Australia.
• Australian Kangaroos Captain 2003–2011.
• Record 38 test matches as captain.
• Highest Kangaroos try-scorer with 35 tries.
• Played 9 World Cup Matches for Australia.
• Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2003 (as fullback).
• Golden Boot Award for International Player of the Year 2006 (as five-eighth).

Life After Playing Rugby League

Darren Lockyer has two sons, Flynn Martin (born January 14, 2012) and Hugo David (born May 29, 2013).

After retiring from playing, Lockyer joined the Nine Network's rugby league commentary team in 2012. He worked as a sideline commentator.

In 2012, Lockyer signed a three-year contract with Origin Energy. He became their safety ambassador for a project involving coal seam gas (CSG). He learned about the CSG industry and spoke with employees and farmers involved.

Lockyer currently works as the Head of Business Affairs at Mayur Resources. This company focuses on energy and minerals in Papua New Guinea.

See also

• List of players who have played 300 NRL games