Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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COREY Parker will play better football for the rest of the year because of his decision to set a retirement date, Darren Lockyer says.
Parker will walk a similar path to Lockyer’s retirement season in 2011 after announcing on Monday that he will retire at the end of this year.
Lockyer played in one last series-winning Queensland team with success at Suncorp Stadium and the Broncos surged to a finals series campaign foiled largely by the skipper’s broken cheekbone in a semi-final.
Lockyer said the Queensland players will be motivated to win Parker’s last Origin match in Brisbane and his old teammate would handle the emotion-charged preparation for Game Two on Wednesday night and the third clash in Sydney.
“I know it’s big within the culture of the Queensland team from when I played my last game that the rest of the team rallies behind you and wants to send you out a winner,’’ Lockyer said.
“This match isn’t a decider, but it can seal the series with a win for Queensland. It’s a pretty nice way to play your last game at Suncrop Stadium.
“From my perspective as a player, when I knew where the finish line was, I got more out of myself. Corey will actually lift for the remainder of the season.’’
Like Lockyer and leading Broncos such as Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva, Parker will be accorded a lap of honour of milestone games.
These will include his last Origin match, set to be in Sydney in three weeks, his final home match at Suncorp Stadium and his last NRL appearance.
“In terms of handling everything that comes with it, he’ll be aware he has to handle a bit of extra attention,’’ Lockyer said.
“The one you knew about Corey was he wouldn’t playing a bad game and would always be strong in the middle. Put his goal kicking in there as well.
“His work ethic was always there and he was tough. He went up a level of maturity when he became a father too.’’
Irish soccer player Roy Keane wrote in his biography that he was struck in his post-career endeavours how much status he had as a former Manchester United captain rather than one of many multiple premiership winners from the club.
The Broncos captaincy carries many advantages in business in a big-fish-in-a-small-pond way.
“You just look at the other people in that group of captains and think how privileged you are,’’ Lockyer said.
“The Broncos have always been a club with huge expectations.’’
Broncos CEO Paul White said Parker would have a role with the club in retirement as a player and he had understood a long time ago that he needed to cultivate a career after football.
“The journey has been one that I’ve been able to grow from a young man to a father of four. I wouldn’t be that person today without this club,’’ Parker said.
“This journey is not finished yet.’’
No Cookies | Herald Sun
Parker will walk a similar path to Lockyer’s retirement season in 2011 after announcing on Monday that he will retire at the end of this year.
Lockyer played in one last series-winning Queensland team with success at Suncorp Stadium and the Broncos surged to a finals series campaign foiled largely by the skipper’s broken cheekbone in a semi-final.
Lockyer said the Queensland players will be motivated to win Parker’s last Origin match in Brisbane and his old teammate would handle the emotion-charged preparation for Game Two on Wednesday night and the third clash in Sydney.
“I know it’s big within the culture of the Queensland team from when I played my last game that the rest of the team rallies behind you and wants to send you out a winner,’’ Lockyer said.
“This match isn’t a decider, but it can seal the series with a win for Queensland. It’s a pretty nice way to play your last game at Suncrop Stadium.
“From my perspective as a player, when I knew where the finish line was, I got more out of myself. Corey will actually lift for the remainder of the season.’’
Like Lockyer and leading Broncos such as Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva, Parker will be accorded a lap of honour of milestone games.
These will include his last Origin match, set to be in Sydney in three weeks, his final home match at Suncorp Stadium and his last NRL appearance.
“In terms of handling everything that comes with it, he’ll be aware he has to handle a bit of extra attention,’’ Lockyer said.
“The one you knew about Corey was he wouldn’t playing a bad game and would always be strong in the middle. Put his goal kicking in there as well.
“His work ethic was always there and he was tough. He went up a level of maturity when he became a father too.’’
Irish soccer player Roy Keane wrote in his biography that he was struck in his post-career endeavours how much status he had as a former Manchester United captain rather than one of many multiple premiership winners from the club.
The Broncos captaincy carries many advantages in business in a big-fish-in-a-small-pond way.
“You just look at the other people in that group of captains and think how privileged you are,’’ Lockyer said.
“The Broncos have always been a club with huge expectations.’’
Broncos CEO Paul White said Parker would have a role with the club in retirement as a player and he had understood a long time ago that he needed to cultivate a career after football.
“The journey has been one that I’ve been able to grow from a young man to a father of four. I wouldn’t be that person today without this club,’’ Parker said.
“This journey is not finished yet.’’
No Cookies | Herald Sun
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