NRL: Lockyer opens up in new book

Lockyer opens up in the book about the people in his life from his parents to master coach Wayne Bennett. Photo / Getty Images

He is one of sport's most public figures yet he's largely managed to maintain his privacy despite 17 years in the media spotlight.

As he edges closer to the end of a great playing career, Darren Lockyer breaks his silence on a number of controversial issues with the release of his self-titled autobiography next week.

It will hit the stands just before his sold out Suncorp Stadium farewell to his home fans against Manly in the last round of the NRL regular season, with the possibility of a fairytale grand final in October.

Lockyer opens up in the book about the people in his life from his parents to the late Cyril Connell and master coach Wayne Bennett.

It took Brisbane journalist Dan Koch 17 chapters and over 105,000 words following interviews with players, coaches, officials and close family and friends to capture Lockyer's life story.

Bennett, Phil Gould, Ricky Stuart, Wendell Sailor, Andrew and Matthew Johns, Allan Langer, Paul Gallen, George Gregan, Johnathan Thurston and Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga all offer their insights on Lockyer's career.

In the book Lockyer talks openly about Bennett, how Craig Bellamy almost coached the Broncos, Petero Civoniceva's treatment by the Broncos, the fall of coach Ivan Henjak, his own family, his and the game's future and ruminates about his own faults and failings.

SUPER LEAGUE - FAR FROM SUPER

The Kangaroos, Queensland and Brisbane captain admits if he knew what he does now when the Super League-Australian Rugby League divide occurred in the mid 1990s - he would have wanted to stay loyal to the establishment.

He believes rugby league is still feeling the aftershocks of Super League - the bid by News Limited media baron Rupert Murdoch to set up an opposition rebel competition to take on the ARL which was backed by rival media mogul, the late Kerry Packer.

The Super League war destroyed lifelong friendships and almost tore the game apart.

"I have read a lot about this turbulent period and have made a point of speaking to several of the prominent figures from the two camps, people from both sides," Lockyer said.

"To be honest, sitting here today as one of the veteran members of the body of NRL players and the Rugby League Players' Association, I am fairly confident that if the same offer was made to me today I would strongly oppose any action or movement which even had the potential to result in a situation where clubs might end up splitting from the main competition.

"Having said that, given my club had aligned itself with Super League, it would have been difficult not to support that in reality. As I have got older and matured, I have become far more concerned about the state of our game and the direction it is heading.

"For all the good intentions of the men responsible for Super League ... the end result was the game of rugby league and the NRL brand suffered damage so significant that its impact continues to haunt the NRL in 2011 some 15 years after hostilities ceased."

BRONCOS BLUNDER WITH BENNETT

"The 2008 season was Wayne's final season as head coach of the Broncos," Lockyer wrote.

"What he has done since his departure has, in my mind, ended any lingering doubts anyone may have had about his position atop the list of the game's greatest coaches. He is it. End of discussion.

"Wayne's leaving, to me was a tragedy.

"From top to bottom it was handled badly and there is no question he deserved better than he got, that is both off the field and on it.

"As always, though, Wayne did the best with the cards he was dealt and proved a lot of people wrong.

"In the end he had the last laugh.

"That's why Wayne Bennett is who he is and there will never be another like him."

BELLAMY TO BRISBANE DEAL 'DONE'

Lockyer, who collected four premierships with Bennett, was convinced Melbourne's multi-premiership winning coach Bellamy, who'd worked as Bennett's assistant until being hunted by the Storm in 2004, was going to replace him in 2009.

"When the Broncos began looking for a replacement for Wayne for the 2009 season and beyond, Ivan (Ivan Henjak) was not the first name put forward," Lockyer wrote.

"Craig Bellamy was the name on everyone's lips. Wayne's right-hand man in both the 1998 and 2000 premiership wins, Bellamy had long been touted as the heir apparent to Wayne's throne at the Broncos.

"I assumed given the club's status and the fact Wayne clearly felt he was being pushed towards the exit, that not only would they be looking for the best, they would quite likely already have secured their signature.

"Outside of Wayne, Craig was the best.

"To this day I am still not sure where it all went wrong, because as I understood things, the Bellyache (Bellamy) to Brisbane deal was done.

"In early April the word I was being told was it was all over bar the shouting and that Craig was just being careful with managing his exit from Melbourne.

"What sparked the about face which saw him sign a five-year extension to remain at the Storm on April 17, I am still unsure.

"I have heard Craig was upset with the way he was spoken to by one Broncos official involved in the interview process and reportedly being given an ultimatum about how and when things would be announced.

"Now, anyone who knows Bellyache knows he is not the sort of bloke who will be pushed around by anyone.

"... And so it was that Bellyache stayed down south."

THE FUTURE

Lockyer is still playing great football but there is absolutely no doubt in his mind his decision to retire aged 34 is the right one.

"Physically I probably could go round for another year or two, but I don't want to play when I know my level of commitment is down on where I feel it needs to be to satisfy my own personal standards," he wrote.

"I have also long feared being that player that goes around one year too long.

"Wayne has always been firmly of the belief you want to go one year early, not one year late.

"Or put another way, you want people asking why on earth did that bloke retire?.

"You don't want them asking why on earth didn't that bloke retire?"

Autobiography - Darren Lockyer with Dan Koch will be released by Random House on August 31. RRP $49.99.

- AAP