I won’t quit: Locky will defy critics
BRONCOS legend Darren Lockyer is committed to turning the club around and will not quit his roles at Red Hill after copping savage criticism during Brisbane’s horror 2020.
Lockyer will front for Brisbane’s first board meeting of the season this week as Broncos powerbrokers plot a course back to the top of the NRL.
The Broncos hit their lowest point in the club’s 33-year history last year, collecting the wooden spoon for the first time and being engulfed by off-field controversies in the lead-up to coach Anthony Seibold’s sacking, less than two years into a five-year contract.
Lockyer, 43, is the greatest servant in Broncos history, having amassed a club record 355 games in a glittering 17season career.
But his experience and reputation has also made him a target for disgruntled fans, explayers and commentators, who targeted Lockyer during the nightmare of 2020.
Lockyer is the only Broncos’ board member with genuine NRL experience and is on the club’s recruitment and retention committee which makes key player roster decisions.
He came under attack from former Broncos players, including Gorden Tallis and Chris Johns, over the decision to appoint Seibold as Wayne Bennett’s successor in 2019 ahead of club legend Kevin Walters, who has since replaced Seibold.
Lockyer was absent from an Old Boys gathering last year due to other commitments and has denied his relationship with former teammates has become strained by the boardroom decisions.
Lockyer will continue on Brisbane’s board and said he was committed to helping his beloved Broncos become an NRL powerhouse again.
“I am committed,” he said. “I’ve always been about what’s best for the team.
“That’s always been the motto at the club. I am there as part of an overall team, I’m there to play my part. I do enjoy it. Last year was a difficult year for everyone at the club.
“It was really disappointing to watch it happen and where we ended up, finishing last, is totally foreign to the club. It was a unique experience you don’t want to go through again. From a board perspective, we want to do what we can and provide the support for the executive team, coaching staff and players.
“We want to put as many support mechanisms as we can around them.”
Board decisions aside, Brisbane’s major focus this year will be improving on the field.
But the Broncos will have to do that without any major new recruits given the club has little salary cap room to play with.
While Darius Boyd has retired, David Fifita moved to the Titans and Joe Ofahengaue (Tigers) and Jack Bird (Dragons) were released, the Broncos have not been overly active in the player market and the club’s 2021 recruits have raised eyebrows.
Former Cowboys forward John Asiata is the biggest name Walters has secured while he has also signed veteran winger David Mead from Catalans and injury-prone back Dale Copley (Titans).
Albert Kelly only lasted one week on a train-and-trial deal before being released.
Lockyer explained the thought process behind Brisbane’s recruitment strategy.
“There is a young group there that needs to be led in a training environment,” he said.
“Those experienced guys that have come back, character and attitude is what the club was built on and that’s been important with the older guys.”