Kevin’s Locked and loaded again
WARRIORS fullback Kevin Locke has come through his first full game of league in two months with no fresh concerns, putting him in the frame for first-grade selection next week.
Locke played the full 80 minutes of the Auckland Vulcans’ 32-18 loss to the Newcastle Knights in their New South Wales Cup clash in Newcastle yesterday.
The match was Locke’s first taste of league since injuring his sternum six minutes into the Warriors roundeight clash with the Storm at Melbourne.
A severely corked right knee earlier in the year has limited the fullback to just five first-grade games this season, off the back of his impressive 2011 campaign which was capped by a starting appearance in the Grand Final against the Sea Eagles.
Locke wore the kicking boots for the Vulcans and finished a perfect three from three with goals, while scoring a second-half try off a crossfield kick by winger Willie Peace.
Despite a strong start, the Vulcans were dominated throughout by the Knights, with winger Josh Mantellato the stand-out for the home team with two tries and six goals.
Warriors coach Brian McClennan stated earlier in the week that a good performance by Locke would put him in the frame for selection for the Warriors’ game against the Panthers in Sydney next Monday.
Vulcans regular Glen Fisiiahi will pull on the No 1 jumper for the Warriors against the Storm today.
The Vulcans loss see Ricky Henry’s side slip to eighth on the NSW Cup ladder, but did feature the Vulcans debuts of Under-20s star halfback Jordan Meads and Richmond hooker Aaron Nootai. Former Warriors Toyota Cup star Siuatonga Likiliki turned out for the Knights.