Have you actually been watching them through the last 5 years, let alone the last 12 months?
For people to suggest that moving on without Lockyer will be fine, and we'll have the off season to remedy a fix, (as others have) and so on is just laughable. Lockyer is world class, will be named an immortal at some stage in the coming years, and has been chief go to man and playmaker for the best part of the last 6 or 7 years after moving to 5/8 in 04. He was one of those rare play makers who actually read the game well in advance of it unfolding and so was able to direct manage and impact it so masterfully.
Better still, they have only won 30% of their games without him, tell me how that isn't going to be a significant change and hurdle for them in 2012?
Yes they have a quality roster, and have blooded some quality youngsters through recent years from whom they should see greater benefit in 2012. But it's a long year in a very competitive competition and there’s going to be plenty of weeks where the Lockyer direction and polish would have been the difference.
They still have a major problem at 9, Petro will offer little, they certainly need Hodges playing most weeks. They'll be competitive but mid table post Lockyer would be a good achievement.
