Darius Boyd has declared he is open to a Darren Lockyer-like move into the famous Brisbane No.6 jersey to fill the hole left by Ben Hunt’s impending departure.
With Hunt moving to St George Illawarra next season on a rich five-year deal, coach Wayne Bennett must find a new halves partner for Anthony Milford.
The Broncos are not bereft of options, with a slew of top-line playmakers including Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks, Josh Reynolds and Gareth Widdop to hit the market at the end of the year.
The Broncos also recently re-signed utility Kodi Nikorima, who has expressed his desire to step up into the starting side.
The club is reported to have discussed plans to move Boyd from fullback into five-eighth and for Milford to play halfback.
That shift would emulate the career trajectory of Broncos, Queensland and Australian great Lockyer who began his career at fullback before making a highly successful move into the halves.
Boyd told AAP that while he hadn’t given such a switch much thought, he was open to it.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got Benny for one more year and we really need to focus on that,” he said.
“Benny’s a great leader on and off the field and he’ll do a great job of that this year.
“Down the track I’m open for whatever’s best for the team. I can cross that point when I come to it.”
When announcing Boyd as the club’s new captain this month, Bennett made numerous comparisons between the 29-year-old and Lockyer.
Bennett noted that Boyd had thrived in a playmaking role at the Auckland Nines and, like Lockyer, was meticulous in his preparation.
Bennett was rumoured to have considered moulding Boyd into a playmaker when the pair were together at Newcastle.
Boyd said the five-eighth and fullback positions were similar in the modern game, but he would have to apply himself to make a fist of any move.
“There a lot less running in the halves and more tackling in the front line. There’s a lot more organising in the front line,” Boyd said.
“It’s a little a bit different but these days fullbacks are like another half.
“There’s kicking responsibilities too. If that did happen, it’s something I’d really train at and hone some more skills, especially in the kicking department.”
G. Morgan
Guest
So True it's surely is Wayne's world across the border at the broncos
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
"lockyer... only became a fullback after not being able to displace entrenched kevin walters from the 6 jersey" Kind of ironic when you think that Kevin Walters only became the QLD SOO coach after not being able to displace Bennett who was entrenched as coach of the Broncos!
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
100% agree with all of the above steve. Spot on IMO. Kevin Walters should already be the Broncos coach and probably will be next year. The fact of the matter is that Bennett is close to 70 years old! How much longer do the Broncos fans think they can hold onto him? His successes with the Broncos were in the distant past (the 2015 GF notwithstanding, close but no prize) and won't be replicated unless he gets a similar team that is filled with Australian and QLD SOO rep players. Let's face it Bennett is not the coach or the influence on the game he once was, or that he "thinks" he still is. If he persists with Boyd at FB, Milford at 5/8, Roberts in the centres, Oates on the wing and Josh McGuire at lock it only goes to show he cannot recognise much less address the deficiencies in his own side. Jason Demetriou his assist coach at present, who is a good coach and should have been picked up by the Dragons to replace McGregor, hopefully will have some influence (though doubtful) this year, otherwise if the Broncos are set on following the same formula that was passed it's used by date at the start of 2016 then nothing much will change. "The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result." - Albert Einstein
cantabofbroncoland
Guest
Problem is Steve, last time Bennett left the club went down hill faster than a schooner in a outback pub
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
Don't you think it's time they were let off the leash? Boyd I mean not Heather, who will probably never find her Prince now. Lockyer on the other hand was the Prince of Brisbane but is at best a Morris dancer (and casual entertainment) on the channel 9 commentary team. Even the King seems to have more influence at court but still doesn't rival "Gollum" (Sterlo) or "the Goblin King" (Gould). Mostly "Joey" Johns is just "legless" (Legolas) but makes some points from time to time. "Gandalf the Grey" (Rabbits) is still the best caller in the business pity he is afraid to fly, if only he could make it to Brisbane then we wouldn't have to suffer "Gríma Wormtongue" (Hadley) sycophantly ingratiating himself on Lockyer and Lewis and giving the QLD nether regions the "full-court press". Speaking of which, I am sure that if Boyd is moved to 5/8 he will continue to "serve his master well" Bennett aka "Darth Sidious".
SSTID_1970
Roar Rookie
I have been calling for this move "elsewhere" for months now and on the ROAR posted about this yesterday. It would be a crucial change IMO that will add a spark to the Broncos spine. Boyd is better at controlling play and organising and Milford is better at playing off the cuff and exploiting his running game. Also as captain Boyd is closer to the action and in a better position to influence the team around him than he would be able to do from 30 plus metres behind play. SSTID_1970 said | February 23rd 2017 @ 11:23pm In my view Darius Boyd would be better suited to playing 5/8 and Milford should move to FB. This would allow Boyd as captain, to be more involved in the team and around the ball. He also plays like a 5/8 when he chimes into the back line in any case.
RIGGS
Guest
Would be a tough call given he's one of the best fullbacks in the world. The main difference with Lockyer succeeding that I see is that Lockyer had a wonderful kicking game even when he was fullback.... Boyd doesn't have that weapon.
Stu
Guest
I think this will be a tough year for the Broncos. They have always had a good choice when it comes to a captain - now their leadership ranks look a bit thin - not a lot of choice really. Moving Boyd to a new position, and giving him captaincy would be a big call, particularly at this stage of his career.
soapit
Guest
makes little sense to me. even when at fullback lockyer did a lot of the teams kicking and he only became a fullback after not being able to displace entrenched kevin walters from the 6 jersey but playing well enough to force them to put him on the field somewhere. boyd has shown zero kicking games to this point and his passing game is limited to end over end passes to finish off the block plays (tho he does that very well). still would be intersting to see how it panned out if they did it
steve
Guest
Darius Boyd isn't fit to lace Darren Lockyer's boots. Lockyer was one special player to be able to make the switch. It was why he was golden boot winner in two positions, fullback and five eighth. The list of options for the Broncos to bring in has shrunk, as Wayne Bennett has already ruled out making a move for Moses and Brooks. The sooner the Broncos ditch Wayne Bennet as coach the better off they will be. You can be assured that Darius Boyd will have the number 6 jumper next season, just as it was assured Wayne Bennett looked no further than Darius Boyd for captain.
Silvertail47
Roar Rookie
There's something not quite right when you read an article that mentions The Great Heather and Boyd in the same paragraph ,,,