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Teammates have lauded Darren Lockyer as one of league's all-time greats after his latest heroics capped a fairytale 2006.
But there are concerns the Australian captain's marathon schedule will take an inevitable toll next season.
Lockyer matched former teammate Allan Langer's remarkable 1998 feat with victory in the Tri-Nations final, becoming just the second player to captain his club, state and country to title successes in the one season.
Langer, now a trainer with the Australian team, was on hand to congratulate the star five-eighth within moments of him scoring the golden-point try at Aussie Stadium.
"It was just a fitting way to go out, scoring the match-winning try," said Langer. "He just keeps getting better and better each year. The last couple of years he's really come to the fore as a leader.
"He's copped criticism but that's the sign of a great player - when they get criticised there's only one way to shut the critics up and that's to go out and win games and that's what he's done."
Kangaroos forward Willie Mason revealed he swapped jerseys with Lockyer after this month's test against Great Britain so he could one day speak proudly of the time he played alongside a legend.
"He's definitely going to go down as one of the greats of the game. He's had his critics at five-eighth with his defence, but his defence in the final and throughout the Tri-Nations has been inspirational."
But amid all the ovations, there remain concerns that a gruelling 10-month, 35-game season - on the back of similarly long previous campaigns - will soon catch up with the 29-year-old.
"It's really important that our schedule is favouring the players, because if burnout hits a player such as Darren then we're losing one of the best players in the game early," Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart said.
"It's really important that we are looking at the longevity of our best players.
"They can't last doing it. This is probably the fourth year that we've been going into November.
"I don't think it's going to happen next year, the Tri-Nations isn't on, so Darren ... will certainly need the break, as well as a number of boys.
"I know the rugby league administrators are being very conscious of this fact ... and they are doing everything they can in regard to players' health and welfare."
Lockyer said he had enjoyed every minute of the season but admitted he was relieved it was finally over.
"I'm looking forward to my break," said Lockyer, who will have at least eight weeks off before returning to pre-season training with Brisbane ahead of its World Club Challenge clash with St Helens in England on February 24.
- AAP
