We haven’t yet seen the best of Locky!
by
Tuesday March 08, 2005
Source: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12472292%255E10389,00.html

A couple of years ago I said to some close friends “I think Darren Lockyer would make a fantastic five-eighth”, but was met with ridicule and laughter. After one interrupted season at five-eighth, and a successful Tri-Nations tournament I would have to assume that we haven’t yet seen Locker fulfil his true potential. I have to agree with Wayne Bennett when talking about Lockyer, stating that he’s “only scratched the surface” of his true ability.

The last game that Lockyer played was in the Tri-Nations final against Great Britain, where he dominated the entire game with his vast array of skills; running, passing, support play, kicking and vision. Some commentators even a former Australian captain, described his performance in the first half as ‘the most dominant ever’ by an Australian player, with Bennett adding “It was a sign of ‘things’ to come”.

If Lockyer can keep his form from the Tri-Nations final and carry it through to this year (and following years for the Broncos), I’m expecting some of the ‘things’ to be displayed and for Lockyer to become the greatest player of the modern era. I think that Bennett sums it up nicely about Lockyer’s future in the game “Darren is a wonderful player but we haven’t seen the best of him yet”.

For Lockyer to keep playing to and exceeding his true potential, he needs other members in the team to do their jobs. Bennett claims that “Darren needs his halfback to stand up for him and his hooker to do his job…then he will enjoy his football”. Therefore, Barry Berrigan and Brett Seymour will have to be in-form and be able to play the entire season for Lockyer to perform at his ‘true’ ability.

Will Lockyer be able to carry his Tri-Nations final form into 2005 for the Broncos? Will Berrigan and Seymour be fit and in-form for the entire season? Will this year be the year the Broncos win the competition? And will this year see the birth of one rugby league’s greatest player?