League: Lockyer shoots from the lip

Darren Lockyer has learned to ride the knocks, for Broncos and for Queensland. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

He should shift to fullback, he shouldn't be captain of Queensland - or of Australia - because he lacks leadership qualities, he shouldn't even make the Australian team ...

For someone who has achieved so much at the top it must be disappointing and frustrating, if not downright galling, how those not directly involved in the game come up with these theories.

But Lockyer retains a calm demeanour and usually refuses to comment on the opinions of Greg Dowling, Phil Gould and others who have voiced the opinions above.

If he does comment it's never a swipe back. "It's obviously something that's a big talking point. I can't control it, the only thing I can do is play well for the Broncos every week. I'm enjoying playing five-eighth," he said yesterday before they flew to Auckland. The club has just notched its 300th win since joining the Aussie premiership in 1988. Lockyer, 29, has been there for 12 seasons and has three more years on his contract.

Coach Wayne Bennett has been there since 1988 and has also coached Lockyer as State of Origin and Australian captain. Lockyer puts the Broncos' 65-per-cent winning record and the three premierships he's picked up with the team down to Bennett and good organisation and management.

Players want to be there, which eases contractual negotiations, they want to play for their teammates, the coach and the Broncos' record.

"I'm happy just to be a part of the club," he said as he closes in on Michael Hancock's all-up record of 274 games for Brisbane. "The record is a reflection of the organisation, admin and coaching staff."

His own relationship with Bennett strengthened, Lockyer said, as each gained further experience of the other. "We turn to each other in tough times. We talk a lot about the team and about what needs to be done to keep the Broncos at the top. You can't beat experience, playing or coaching, and Wayne has been there, done that - he has the respect of everyone."

How does Bennett keep the Broncos fresh as other clubs rotate coaches? "He listens to his players well, we tell him what we think will make it enjoyable and he gives us some of what we want."

At just 1.78m and 86kg he is among the smaller players in the NRL yet he plays with a fearlessness that belies his size. His vision for a gap for himself and his ability to put others into a gap with short shovels or a longcut-out pass cut him out as a special player. Then there is a threatening close-kicking game when in opponents' red zones. We'd love him in the Warriors and the Kiwis.

Because of his size Lockyer is always a target for opposition runners, but his defence is sound. He doesn't back down, even when bashed, as he was by the Kiwis at North Harbour Stadium in 2003, to the point where he was swaying on his feet during the after-match presentation in midfield.

He didn't worry about the physical side of the game, he said. "I haven't had too many injuries. The head's been bashed around a bit and there's a few stitches but if that's the worst of it, it's okay. You know when you sign on that it's part and parcel of the game." Of his kicking game, Lockyer said it was something that didn't come naturally and had to be worked on and worked on. The Broncos have always had a kicking coach. It takes practice, extra sessions."

He likes the opportunity to take control of the game via his boot.

He is often pressed into service as a goal-kicker but that role he is less keen on. "I like to focus on other parts of my game. If some other bloke wants to kick for goal I'm not going to fight him for the football."

Of the Warriors this weekend, Lockyer said he expected the usual physical style. The Warriors and Cowboys had struggled to beat the Broncos in their early years but in recent times both had won more than lost. "Once they got the monkey off their back, it took pressure off and they played accordingly," he said.

The Warriors were a confidence team. The Broncos would be focused on a good start.

On international football, Lockyer said it remained the pinnacle for him.

The game had lifted since the Tri-Nations started and the Kiwis' win had raised the stakes in Australia. The intensity of the Anzac test was not reflected by the winning margin.

"I'm very proud of playing for Australia, and it's a great honour captaining the side."

But he had an Origin series and a grandfinal to win first.

Darryn Lockyer

Born: March 24, 1977
Brisbane Junior: Club Roma
Height: 1.78m, Weight: 86kg
Career: 247 NRL games for the Broncos since debut R13 1995
Three premiership titles, 1997, 98 and 2000
22 State of Origin games for Queensland 1998-06
28 tests for the Kangaroos 1998-06, captain since 2003
Darren Lockyer would have to be one of the most talked-about players in league.