Lockyer's best years?

[Son Edo]

Just curious. Both at fullback and five-eighth.

 

[Big Pete]

From 2001-03 Lockyer's form at fullback was untouchable. The play literally was, one off the ruck for 3 plays, give it to Lockyer and play off the back of it for the rest of the set. More often than not, it succeeded. For mine, I'd give 03 the nod. He was a complete player that year and his defence which had always been a little shakey really came good and he was great from Round 1 right through till the final Ashes game.

06 is an easy choice at five eigth. Played a major role in a premiership, origin series victory and Tri Nations victory, really can't get much better than that. On performance, I don't think he was as enterprising as he was in 04-05 but he was a much smarter five eigth who knew when to play for territory and when to go for points.

He also had a rich vein of form in 2010 that nearly pulled one of our worst squads into the finals but unfortunately we all know how that went down...

 

[subsbligh]

2006 at 5/8 is a straight bat answer, I don't think too many can argue with that. After the knee operation he was never as agile and in later years lost so muchb

At fullback, you're testing my memory. Maybe 2000, he was at the peak of his powers back then.

 

[m1c]

I'm not sure he had a better season at 6 than 2011 - he was amazing. Alternatively, once he established himself as the premier 1 in the game he was outstanding year after year - particularly towards the end of his tenure.

 

[Alec]

2006 as a 5/8th for sure. Everything he touched turned to gold.

 

[Coxy]

Big Pete nailed it.

2003: Fullback. Honourable mentions: 2000-2001
2006: 5/8. Honourable mentions: 2010-11

 

[pennywisealfie]

2006 was that one year in his career where still had his speed and agility and had developed his football smarts to a massively elite level. in 2007 he was playing amazingly as well until he injured himself and thats when the pace and agility left him, but he was still the best because his smarts were just on another level.

 

[m1c]

Agreed on the 2001 - 2003 form. BP did describe it best - untouchable.

At 6 I think his best years are far more subjective to the context they are viewed in. The adversity he overcame in '06 to lead QLD and the Broncos to success was an incredible story - to think he was one loss away from losing his rep' jerseys beggars belief . It was a huge FU to all the detractors that had gathered and for this reason I can certainly understand those who say this was his best year. However I'm not sure it was the best he played wearing the 6 jersey.

IMO his performances week in, week out from last season cannot be beaten.

 

[Big Pete]

I'd honestly have to look into it to see if that checks out m1c.

My impression is that Lockyer couldn't have picked a better year to go out on. Still played some good footy (it's a fight between him schooling Pearce in the rain or his last hoorah against the Dragons for performance of the year for mine) but there were some signs that he was beginning to lose a step or two. (R4 vs. Penrith comes to mind).

He had a slow start in 06 so it could check out. My memory of 11 is a bit dicey, some games just mesh together for me.

 

[m1c]

His involvement was no doubt down on previous years - I'd be really interested in seeing the number of touches per game compared to other seasons - however IMO he consistently got it right. I think he was guilty of overplaying his hand in his early seasons at 6. His involvements last year were definitely a quality over quantity.

 

[user_nat]

06

Feels like last year he was starting to make more little mistakes that wouldn't have happened as often in previous years. Might just feel that way because I can actually remember last year. In some ways I think 2010 was better than 2011, just less consistent.

 

[Alec]

In terms of pure highlights, 08 has to be right up there too. Sure he was injured for a lot of it, and threw more hospital passes than ever, but he's had so many magical moments that year, a lot of which when combining with Kemp.

 

[Son Edo]

I feel Lockyer is underrated at fullback. We hear Slater and Churchill's names brought up being the best in that position and Lockyer barely gets a mention. Cameron Smith was asked a question once, about Slater being the best fullback of all time and he brought up Lockyer's name and told them he shouldn't be forgotten.

Not saying Lockyer is superior, not at all.

 

[Porthoz]

Lockyer as fullback isn't a head scratcher. Like BP said, 2001-2003 are up there as the best stuff I've seen a fullback do. Slater only has longevity on Lockyer, nothing else.

As for five-eight, I'd say 2011 trumps 2006, but just imo. Maybe only because it's fresher in my memory (the whole campaign that is).

 

[Alec]

I feel Lockyer is underrated at fullback. We hear Slater and Churchill's names brought up being the best in that position and Lockyer barely gets a mention. Cameron Smith was asked a question once, about Slater being the best fullback of all time and he brought up Lockyer's name and told them he shouldn't be forgotten.

Not saying Lockyer is superior, not at all.

He was definitely much better than Slater there. Slater is the one who gets overrated a bit. Lockyer was always much, MUCH more reliable in defence, and was an excellent ball player too. He wasn't individually as dangerous as Slater... but it's a team game, and he contributed a lot more to a team.

Slater is excellent, but I'd have Inglis ahead of him in the rep arena these days.

 

[m1c]

Lockyer as fullback isn't a head scratcher. Like BP said, 2001-2003 are up there as the best stuff I've seen a fullback do. Slater only has longevity on Lockyer, nothing else.

QFT!

 

[Ari Gold]

I don't really remember the entire seasons of early Lockyer (I remember moments, but not as much as I do now). That said, I always enjoyed second half of 1999 Lockyer. We needed to win every game and every game Lockyer would win it for us. Perhaps it's not his vintage year, but I always remember it as the time of clutch Lockyer.

 

[Anonymous person]

I love Lockyer, but Slater as a FULLBACK overtook him a few years ago IMO, probably around 2010. The thing is that Lockyer didnt play like a fullback other than in defence. Slater is a classic fullback in all areas, and is a freak with ball in hand or chasing to get the ball in hand.

I wont say one is better than the other, only that i thank the lord that i was alive and old enough to see both of their entire careers and recognise what i was/am seeing.

To say that the only thing Slater has over Lockyer is longevity.....wow. im not going to start an argument so ill just leave it at that.