Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga (right) and an injured Darren Lockyer (left) during the Queensland team training session. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
The dust has settled on yet another State of Origin series, with all the experts having had their say, and clearly it is NSW which has the most soul searching to do.
Having had a week to digest Queensland’s whitewash, I have come to the conclusion that it is time that the great state formally honoured Darren Lockyer in the same manner in which they honoured Wally Lewis.
Yes, I believe it is time for Locky to have a statue of him erected next to King Wally’s, particularly if last Wednesday’s match turns out to be the last Origin match for him.
And here’s why.
Until recently, when Mal Meninga took over, to be precise, I seriously doubted that Queensland could ever ‘dominate’ Origin again like it did in the 1980s.
While it is unfair to attribute all the credit for Queensland’s domination in the 1980s on one player, it certainly can’t be disputed that Wally Lewis was the most instrumental. Likewise, I would say that Darren Lockyer has been the most instrumental (and there have been many) in Queensland’s recent spell of domination.
Lockyer has now played a whopping 33 games for Queensland, compared to Lewis with 30.
Moreover, Lockyer is equal second behind Lewis with the highest number of Man of the Match awards with four in total.
Furthermore, at club level, Darren Lockyer has now accumulated the highest number of NRL matches for a player at one club. It’s a record which could stand for some time given the frequency of players moving clubs in today’s game.
I could go on with more, but I don’t think I need a mountain of statistics to persuade people of the brilliance of Darren Lockyer.
Keep in mind also that Lockyer has done what few players in the history of the game have been able to do. That is being the best in the world at one position, originally at full back, only then to be the best 5/8 in the world.
He showed the similar mental resilience to that of Wally Lewis when, in 2006, he overcame an avalanche of criticism of his personal game to captain Queensland to its first series victory in four years and recapture both his form and his standing in the game.
Give the man what he deserves and give him a statue next to Wally.
Rikki-Lee Arnold
Roar Rookie
I very much like this idea. I am a huge Lockyer fan and also agree that it would look better on the Milton Rd side. However in saying that, a while ago a paper suggested that there be four more statues around Wally - Lockyer, Langer, Mal etc. A shrine to QLD almost
BennO
Guest
"I would put the statue on the Milton Rd side" Great idea!
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
I agree with you Mitchell, although I would put the statue on the Milton Rd side, where all the train comers pass. Although anopinion is right that it is a team sport we find we have individuals that lift the team and make the team even greater. That is why we buy and sell players. Wally has a statue, so should Lockyer. We have statues for those who do great things in the game. Don Bradman played in a team sport! The truth is that people will look back in 100 years and remember Lockyer at least, they may remember Inglis, Smith, Slater but Lockyer is a certainty. How many times did he score a match winning try. OR, for that matter, a series winning try. He scores when needed, Lockyer will be the legend in 20 years time making Toyota ads, and on that basis alone he deserves a statue at Lang Park, excuse me, Suncorp Stadium.
Mitchell Collier
Roar Rookie
The point about RL being a team sport is a perfectly valid one and of course I accept that premierships, origins etc are won by teams not individuals. Having said that why shouldn't we recognise the best players from each generations? Should we not bother having immortals? Should we not award a Clive Churchill medal for the best player in the GF? (An award which both honours the recipient and Clive Churchill) If you go to any of the major soccer stadiums in England you will see statues of great players and managers of the past. In my opinion it is a very appropriate way to acknowledge Darren Lockyer's contibution to QLD rugby league.
Ken
Guest
'Furthermore, at club level, Darren Lockyer has now accumulated the highest number of NRL matches for a player at one club. It’s a record which could stand for some time given the frequency of players moving clubs in today’s game.' This particular stat is misleading (unless you're being pedantic about them being NRL matches, i.e. from '98) - any fair judge would give this record to Steve Menzies who stuck around while his club merged and then de-merged. Lockyer could overtake him next year if he stays injury free. Apart from that I kind of agree with anopinion - RL is a team sport and I don't believe the Maroons dominance over the last 5 years was overwhelmingly attributed to him, he is one of a number of impressive cogs in that machine. I don't think we need to build a statue for every great player that comes along.
Paul J
Guest
Mitchell The Roar seems to be a predominatly Sydney (rugby) supported site so i don't think you'll get too much agreement here, but i agree with you - great idea. He's played the most SOO, i believe the most as captain. The most Kangaroo games, most as captain, most tries for Australia. Over 300 1st grade games and went from best fullback in the game to best no 6 in the game despite the knockers. The critics said he should have retired before last years series, and the series before that and the series before that.. He's a legend of the game and definately deserves a statue.
anopinion
Guest
RL is a team sport.