The fullback revolution

[Wolfie]

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

www.foxsports.com.au

Its not that this is a bad article as such, but how can you seriously talk about how the fullback role has evolved and not mention Darren Lockyer once?

 

[theshed]

I swear Lockyer’s legacy is being eroded, hey. I haven’t noted the actual examples but the amount of times I’ve heard NRL media types/ex-players rattle off best players, best fullbacks or best five eights and not mentioned his name at all seems to really be increasing.

There was period toward the end of his career and the few years after that he was the first name to come to mind, along with one or two others.

 

[BroncsFan]

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

www.foxsports.com.au

Its not that this is a bad article as such, but how can you seriously talk about how the fullback role has evolved and not mention Darren Lockyer once?

Sydney gaslighting... their MO has been to downgrade Lockyer ever since he retired.

Barely gets mentioned whenever they're talking about the origin dynasty... it's always JT, Billy, Cam and then Cooper... even though Lockyer started it and played more games in the dynasty than Cronk.

Billy wasn't even able to beat out Khunt when he first started in origin.

They talk up Cronk like he's an immortal in waiting so they can downgrade Lockyer.

It doesn't help that Lockyer is a shit commentator and barely explains what's happening on the field... but it's not like JT is any better.

 

[Dash]

Sydney gaslighting... their MO has been to downgrade Lockyer ever since he retired.

Barely gets mentioned whenever they're talking about the origin dynasty... it's always JT, Billy, Cam and then Cooper... even though Lockyer started it and played more games in the dynasty than Cronk.

Billy wasn't even able to beat out Khunt when he first started in origin.

They talk up Cronk like he's an immortal in waiting so they can downgrade Lockyer.

It doesn't help that Lockyer is a shit commentator and barely explains what's happening on the field... but it's not like JT is any better.

He's also inconvenient for their Andrew Johns love-fest.

 

[BroncsFan]

He's also inconvenient for their Andrew Johns love-fest.

Yeah Sydney won't be able to outright claim Joey as better if Darren is rightfully made an immortal... would also mean they can't claim Freddy like he should be somewhere in the conversation.

Sydney is too busy trying to get Brett Kenny as an immortal at this stage... he's been well and truly assessed and passed over at this point, but I can see it happening

 

[Mr Fourex]

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

www.foxsports.com.au

Its not that this is a bad article as such, but how can you seriously talk about how the fullback role has evolved and not mention Darren Lockyer once?

Without reading any follow up or the article you linked .....its obviously pure ignorance.

Could be forgiven for equating Locky only to the no.6....
but again, if your gonna be a professional journo.......be fucken professional.

 

[Wolfie]

I swear Lockyer’s legacy is being eroded, hey. I haven’t noted the actual examples but the amount of times I’ve heard NRL media types/ex-players rattle off best players, best fullbacks or best five eights and not mentioned his name at all seems to really be increasing.

There was period toward the end of his career and the few years after that he was the first name to come to mind, along with one or two others.

Thats a fair point about his legacy being eroded. You could arguably put him up for best fullback or 6 tbh. He proved himself to be one of the very best in both positions, and also as a captain as well. He pretty much did it all as a 1 and a 6.

 

[Mr Fourex]

I swear Lockyer’s legacy is being eroded, hey. I haven’t noted the actual examples but the amount of times I’ve heard NRL media types/ex-players rattle off best players, best fullbacks or best five eights and not mentioned his name at all seems to really be increasing.

No doubt who you're listening to are ex-NSW players/media,
who went through the 8 in a row QLD dynasty ....... and still haven't recovered

and are forever bitter.

 

[1910]

It's not a best fullback ever piece it's a how has fullback defence changed from Potter in the 80's to Edwards, Drinkwater, Mitchell, Walsh and Gutherson.

98% of the write up is modern players and what they do now.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm more upset for Clive and Changa.

I would love to know when the second man-play came into vogue. It really felt like after the 2004 Tri-Series with Lockyer and Minichiello, Bennett made it a key feature of his attack and everyone eventually followed suit.

I think Darbs perfected the timing of the pass, but I don't think he offered the versatility of Hunt.

 

[1910]

I'm more upset for Clive and Changa.

I would love to know when the second man-play came into vogue. It really felt like after the 2004 Tri-Series with Lockyer and Minichiello, Bennett made it a key feature of his attack and everyone eventually followed suit.

I think Darbs perfected the timing of the pass, but I don't think he offered the versatility of Hunt.

They say Johns did it in the 60's, limited footage though.

I can't believe they picked Potter to represent the 1980's and not Belcher or Jack.

Potter was at the Bulldogs, the most boring conservative team in the world so gives a good contrast to 2025.

 

[Mustafur]

Sydney Centric garbage.

Lockyer was the original Playmaking Fullback, to not even mention him is insane.

Every single time a Fullback gets moved to the Halves it is because of Lockyer and the amount of times that has happened since he did it is insane and yet to be matched.

 

[BroncsFan]

Sydney Centric garbage.

Lockyer was the original Playmaking Fullback, to not even mention him is insane.

Every single time a Fullback gets moved to the Halves it is because of Lockyer and the amount of times that has happened since he did it is insane and yet to be matched.

Or even the opposite.. Barba was a half coming through that was moved to fullback, because Lockyer basically was a half playing at fullback

 

[Mustafur]

Or even the opposite.. Barba was a half coming through that was moved to fullback, because Lockyer basically was a half playing at fullback

I don't think Barba ever went back to the halves though, you could say the same about TMM but he did that only for one season even though it seemed to work.

 

[BroncsFan]

I don't think Barba ever went back to the halves though.

Just meant that Lockyer evolved the fullback position to the point where ballplaying was an absolute necessity for the position, so coaches started using smaller halves as fullbacks.

Lockyer evolved the position to be somewhat interchangeable; however he is still the best to be able to play both positions and not many other players have been able to play both positions since

 

[Mustafur]

Just meant that Lockyer evolved the fullback position to the point where ballplaying was an absolute necessity for the position, so coaches started using smaller halves as fullbacks.

Lockyer evolved the position to be somewhat interchangeable; however he is still the best to be able to play both positions

The way Barba played he must have been a Running 6 anyway which I feel isn't that much different, like if Mam played at Fullback, Lockyer Felt like a 7 even at fullback(especially from 2000 onwards) but when he was young he had pace too.

 

[Harry Sack]

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

‘F*** this’: Inside brutal reality of NRL’s toughest task... and man who changed it ‘forever’

www.foxsports.com.au

Its not that this is a bad article as such, but how can you seriously talk about how the fullback role has evolved and not mention Darren Lockyer once?

Exactly. I don't care what the topic of the article is, whether it's attack or defence or whatever, to leave Lockyer out of a discussion about the evolution of the fullback role is fucking horseshit.

 

[Harry Sack]

Sydney Centric garbage.

Lockyer was the original Playmaking Fullback, to not even mention him is insane.

Every single time a Fullback gets moved to the Halves it is because of Lockyer and the amount of times that has happened since he did it is insane and yet to be matched.

They'll always mention it, especially if the player is struggling.

"Wellll, it wasn't all smooth sailing straight away when Wayne moved Locky to the halves"

FFS, I swear it came up when O'Brien tried to shift Ponga.