Is Darren Lockyer the greatest player of all time?

[langer77]

Langer got my vote

 

[bronco_babe77]

See them walk out onto the field, there is no jumping around, clapping the hands and yelling come on boys, they just sum up the situation and wait to release the energy after the whistle blows. I'm not saying it's no good to be fired up, but that just typifies those two players to me - they just want their football to do the talking, and they back it up with great attention to detail on the field.

Absolutely this. I have huge respect for players who can sort it all out in their head. Focused and controlled but with still the ability to lead and fire up players when required and lead by example at the same time.

Off topic, but this is what I always saw in Steve Waugh also.

I too, vote Lockyer. His ability to win games at times when all hope is lost hasn't been matched by anyone IMO.

 

[Coxy]

The poll needs to define "modern era" better.

For mine Lewis is the greatest player I have ever seen play, but I don't consider him to be a player of the modern era - it has been almost 20 years since he retired (same goes for Mal, don't think he belongs in the poll either due to the era thing).

When it comes to the modern era, if I take sentiment out of it completely and was 100% honest, I'd have to say Johns just edges Lockyer (as much as it pains me to say it).

I'm guessing you've come to that decision based purely on ability on the field.

When, as others have said, you throw longevity, achievement, off field conduct (Casablanca tackle and Raper joke aside) and the general esteem that he is held with by his peers, I simply can't picture anyone better than Locky.

Yeah, Joey might just shave Locky with the things he could do in his prime, but Locky's prime lasted longer, produced more (6 Origin series wins, 2 draws, countless Test triumphs, 4* premierships vs 4 Origin series wins, only a few Test triumphs, 2* premierships) and did so in 2 positions.

If you had a choice of, say, Andrew Johns, Origin Game 3, 2005 vs Darren Lockyer, Origin Game 1, 2001 (IMO the peak performances of both players), then yep you'd probably take Johns by a whisker. And I think that's basically what you were saying and I've spent a lot of words disagreeing with just to agree [icon_lol1.

 

[mrslong]

I would take Darren Lockyer 2006 over Andrew Johns 2005 tbph.

 

[Coxy]

I would take Darren Lockyer 2006 over Andrew Johns 2005 tbph.

I'd take Lockyer over the course of any season vs Johns over the course of any season. There's no doubt Lockyer was far and away the more consistent player week in week out. Johns just had that ability to do some freakish stuff and shine more brightly.

Hence the single game comparison.

 

[Black Philip]

In the discussion of this article on foxsports, it's amazing how many idiots are using Lockyers defense as a reason why Johns is better than him. If you want to compary the two then you have to factor in all aspects of their games and in Lockyers case, his abilities at both 5/8 AND fullback. And at fullback, as far as I'm concerned, you couldn't get a better defender.

 

[Coxy]

In the discussion of this article on foxsports, it's amazing how many idiots are using Lockyers defense as a reason why Johns is better than him. If you want to compary the two then you have to factor in all aspects of their games and in Lockyers case, his abilities at both 5/8 AND fullback. And at fullback, as far as I'm concerned, you couldn't get a better defender.

Fark. Show those douches the one-on-one tackle he did on Shannon Hegarty in the 2000 GF. Hegarty was over for all money and was in the process of diving low. Locky picked him up and was driving him back when teammates came in and forced him into touch.

Unbelievable.

And if there's one thing I've noticed in the first 3 rounds this season, Locky's defence has been great. And he's had to do a lot of work too.

 

[Big Pete]

Maybe not in 2003 but before then Lockyer would often get beaten before the cover defence would allow him to recover.

 

[Anonymous person]

Maybe not in 2003 but before then Lockyer would often get beaten before the cover defence would allow him to recover.

in defence, Lockyer sucked 1-on-1, then was the best 1-on-1 defender ive ever seen, then went back to pretty poor when he switched to 5/8th.

Johns was as good of a defensive halfback as youll ever see. he didnt just tackle, he could put on some absolute bellringers. but comparing Lockyer and Johns' defense is missing the point with those 2 players. itd be like comparing their shoe size - noone cares.

for me, Lockyer is the best player ive ever seen. i didnt see Lewis in his prime, but ive seen Lockyers entire career, and noone else has come close. Johns, talent wise, was arguably better or at least his equal, but he could never produce for more than a few games in a row. there were like 4 years in a row back in the late 90s/early 00s where Lockyer was just incredible week in and week out.

 

[Clintos]

Lockyer is easily the best player I have ever seen play. Given I was only 4 when Wally retired I obviously can't draw a comparison between the two, but I would say Wally would be the only player stopping Lockyer from being the greatest ever.

I'd take Lockyer over Johns any day of the week. My reasons are the same as Coxy's. Plus, Lockyer wasn't a whinger, racist or drug user.

 

[Porthoz]

Locky has something that Johns lacks IMO: Charisma!
It wasn't just some individual brilliance that led us to the 2006 title, it was Locky's leadership and charisma. And of course, the ability to think and execute flawlessly under pressure, that produced so many victories when it mattered most.

It is also the desire to do well alongside him and for him that made this Origin dynasty possible, which he started when he picked up that Hodgson lost pass in Melbourne. Granted, we have an amazing team, but he led by example in every single match he played at the highest level.

That is why he is the greatest player of all time that I've seen playing, followed closely by Alfie and as a very far third, comes Johns.

Like many here, I didn't see Lewis play, but even he can't argue Locky's legacy as the greatest Bronco of all time!

So yeah, I vote for Locky's perpetuity on the BHQ banner and a statue at Lang Park's Milton end, but wouldn’t go as far as retiring the no. 6 jersey, simply because you would have to retire the no. 1 as well...

 

[lynx000]

I have seen the entire careers of both Lewis and Locky and I don't believe that there would be much more than a split hair between them. At their respective primes, I would say Lewis was slightly ahead of Locky, but if you take their full careers, because of both his longevity and the fact that he is still producing good form at this stage of his career I think I would give it to Locky.

 

[Alec]

Ask this same question on the Knights forum, and you'd get just as many responses saying Johns is the best. :p

Too hard to tell for me, I mean I'd take Lockyer every time, but I also can't take my Broncos glasses off.

 

[Coxy]

True, no doubt we're all biased here.

 

[Anonymous person]

Locky has something that Johns lacks IMO: Charisma!
It wasn't just some individual brilliance that led us to the 2006 title, it was Locky's leadership and charisma. And of course, the ability to think and execute flawlessly under pressure, that produced so many victories when it mattered most.

im not sure that you actually know what charisma is if you think that it was Lockyers charisma that led us to the 2006 premiership [icon_lol1.

 

[Charmamba]

Locky has something that Johns lacks IMO: Charisma!
It wasn't just some individual brilliance that led us to the 2006 title, it was Locky's leadership and charisma. And of course, the ability to think and execute flawlessly under pressure, that produced so many victories when it mattered most.

im not sure that you actually know what charisma is if you think that it was Lockyers charisma that led us to the 2006 premiership [icon_lol1.

If Locky's Charisma can win us a premiership i would love to see how many Dwayne Johnson would win

 

[DIEHARD]

Best I have ever seen. I love Locky.

 

[DIEHARD]

Hopefully it also means that we will win the Origin and Four Nations. (I'll be right for a Broncos Premiership)