Re: [Rumour] - Broncos to sign Darius Boyd
DARREN Lockyer has urged Broncos supporters to give enigmatic Darius Boyd time to win them over.
Boyd will return to Brisbane with most fans respectful of his football ability but some unsold on the public personality they have seen over the years.
Internet forums were critical of Boyd’s conduct in refusing a television interview after Origin III this year and many remember other incidents during his time at the Dragons and Knights, including short, uncooperative responses at an “all-in’’ news conference.
Lockyer, a member of the Broncos retention committee for the past 12 months, said Boyd had never let him down as a teammate on the field in his three-season stint with Brisbane and their many representative matches together.
Boyd stopped playing for Newcastle late last season, later disclosing his battle with depression and desire to rebuild his life after three weeks at a rehabilitation clinic.
“There are two sides to the story and I think Broncos fans need to give him an opportunity,’’ Lockyer said.
“They should give Darius some time and the proof will be in the pudding. Halfway through next season, maybe then they can make a judgment on Darius.
“Off the field, he’s had his documented troubles. He reached the point last season that he had to do something about it and from what I’m hearing, he’s a changed person in some ways.
“Wayne (Bennett) is known to manage people well and you can be confident he will do a good job in that regard (with Boyd). The club has invested in Anthony Milford and Darius and it’s important we give them all the tools they need to be successful.’’
Boyd is expected to start training with the Broncos within the next 10 days.
Lockyer said he was supportive when Bennett raised the prospect of recruiting Boyd, even though it created an over-abundance of backs which saw Josh Hoffman go to the Gold Coast and Ben Barba released to join Cronulla.
“I felt at the time out of the fullback options we had Darius was the best option. I tended to agree with him (Bennett),’’ Lockyer said.
“He has more in his repertoire as a fullback (than Hoffman and Barba).
“I immediately just thought about what he brings to the team on the field. He has size, a good passing game, a good running game and he has experience.
“From a pure footy sense he has plenty of runs on the board. He’s won premierships. Even as a kid he was already a player who didn’t make a lot of mistakes.’’
