Lockyer v Thurston

[DaSuperHero2]

Darren not worthy of wiping the boots of Johnathon and same as Johnathon to Andrew

 

[Big Pete]

Nobody is saying that defence isn't a factor, but in terms of what you want out of a half, it isn't that big of a priority.

James Maloney and Anthony Milford aren't the best defenders but you'd be mad to release either for a Blake Green or Peter Wallace.

He wasn't the best defender Locky, but he wasn't as big a liability as people make out. Had his rough troughs in the position, 09 in particular was a bad year defensively (rated 5th for missed tackles, behind JT) but for the most part he was no worse than the average half. Strangely Locky's worst season defensively 06 turned out to be his most successful which goes back to the point from earlier.

Defensively Anasta blew Lockyer out the water, I know which half I'd much rather have in my team.

 

[Mr Angry]

If I was building a team from scratch, I would build it around Lockyer

 

[betcats]

Defensively Anasta blew Lockyer out the water, I know which half I'd much rather have in my team.

But which one would you prefer at fullback???

 

[Bronco18]

And here I was thinking the defensive deficiencies of the likes of Sandow, Moses and Brooks was an issue.

Apparently not?

It helps that Lockyer wasn't as terrible as a defender as the above 3.

Also, the fact that Lockyer was a consistent match winner who could guide a team around made up for his defensive deficiencies.

Defense is an important skill yes, but a half that is doing their job has much more influence in attack than defense. How is that controversial?

 

[ram raid]

Locker. Smarter player, better game manager, better kicking game. The best captain I've ever seen.

 

[Trent91]

Nobody is saying that defence isn't a factor, but in terms of what you want out of a half, it isn't that big of a priority.

James Maloney and Anthony Milford aren't the best defenders but you'd be mad to release either for a Blake Green or Peter Wallace.

He wasn't the best defender Locky, but he wasn't as big a liability as people make out. Had his rough troughs in the position, 09 in particular was a bad year defensively (rated 5th for missed tackles, behind JT) but for the most part he was no worse than the average half. Strangely Locky's worst season defensively 06 turned out to be his most successful which goes back to the point from earlier.

Defensively Anasta blew Lockyer out the water, I know which half I'd much rather have in my team.

What's the point of them setting up a try and being the cause of a try back at their own end though?

 

[Big Pete]

But which one would you prefer at fullback???

:lol:

What's the point of them setting up a try and being the cause of a try back at their own end though?

There's more to a halves role than setting up tries.

One of Lockyer's most underrated plays was his kick to the corner. It was one of the pillars the Broncos built their success on, Lockyer would kick towards the right hand corner, send Hodges and his winger (most prominently Tate, but Yow Yeh was great in the role as well) and they would either earn a repeat set or put the Broncos in prime field position.

It wasn't innovated by Locky or anything like that, but I'd say that play was every bit as good as a SBW shoulder charge or Luke Phillips try-saver.

JT pulled off a similar play against the Broncos last week, forcing Kahu to bring it out of his in-goal. It proved a huge turning point and the Cows were able to run away with it in the end.

That's just one example of how ordinary defenders make it up to their team.

 

[PaulyTom]

Thurston for me.

 

[dogslife]

 

[gUt]

If it's a Drunkfield article you know it's true

Maroons, Kangaroos and Broncos legend Darren Lockyer to named rugby league’s next Immortal

RUGBY league’s most exclusive club, the Immortals, is about to be expanded with the inclusion of Maroons, Kangaroos and Broncos legend Darren Lockyer.

The ninth and possibly 10th Immortal will be revealed at the NRL Players Association’s annual awards night in October — and Lockyer is certain to be one of them.

Judges will then determine if previously overlooked legends of the calibre of Mal Meninga or Norm Provan deserve inclusion.

In a break from tradition Rugby League Week, the magazine that owns the rights to the Immortals, is forming a partnership with the players’ association to unveil a new player every five years.

There will be a hard and fast rule that no player can be included until five years after their career ends.

The Immortals are Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier,Johnny Raper, Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis, Graeme Langlands and Andrew Johns.

There has been much debate in previous years about the non-inclusion of Qld legend Meninga, St George icon Provan and even the great Ron Coote.

Provan won 10 straight premierships at the Dragons, the last four as captain-coach.

Meninga is the only player in history to have played on four Kangaroo tours and his stature in the game is even greater now after coaching Queensland to eight-straight Origin victories.

The judging panel will include Wayne Bennett, John Grant, former editors Ian Heads and Geoff Prenter, David Middleton and your columnist among others.

The five-year waiting list for new inductions is to stop speculation when the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith will be included.

All hail the greatest player of our times, Darren Lockyer.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

About time.

 

[Charlie124]

as if naming Goey Johns wasn't enough to cement this concept as a total joke...

 

[Hutty1986]

Deadset farce if Lockyer gets in next. Maybe they should bring in Carroll with him as their usual package deal?

 

[user_nat]

I've often felt Lockyer's defence was underrated. Not because it was good, because obviously it wasn't. But because it wasn't any worse than most halves.

So decided to go through my favourite nrl.com feature, player stats since 2005 and have a look.
Since 05:
Lockyer (to 2011). Tackles 2334, missed: 530 (4.4 tackles per miss)
Thurston (to present). Tackles 3415, missed 864 (3.9 tackles per miss)

Worth noting that Thurston's average is actually slightly better for the seasons since 2011.

 

[blaza88z]

Deadset farce if Lockyer gets in next. Maybe they should bring in Carroll with him as their usual package deal?

is it because he's not that bloke from your club?

 

[Maroon4life]

Deadset farce if Lockyer gets in next. Maybe they should bring in Carroll with him as their usual package deal?

Lets get Ben creagh in there ASAP.

Cue the Ben Creagh in the leotard Gif.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Poor old Peter Sterling.

The forgotten genius.

How he never gets mentioned I'll never know. Same for Fittler and Lazarus.

Their achievements are Immortal worthy but they never get mentioned.

Sterlo should be a certainty.

 

[Kiwi]

Thurston moved to the 7 because he couldn't displace Lockyer from the number 6, he was then moved from 7 to 6 at rep level to make room for Cronk, says it all really. I'm a huge Thurston fan, but I don't recall Lockyer getting bashed out of a game, and he played against harder men than run around today with a lot less halves protection.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Thurston moved to the 7 because he couldn't displace Lockyer from the number 6, he was then moved from 7 to 6 at rep level to make room for Cronk, says it all really. I'm a huge Thurston fan, but I don't recall Lockyer getting bashed out of a game, and he played against harder men than run around today with a lot less halves protection.

Umm no.

There's very little difference between a 6 and 7 in the modern game.

Granted Lockyer was a classic 5/8, but JT is equally effective at 6 or 7.

It's not an insult that he's been moved to accommodate Locky and Cronk. More a compliment of how great and versatile he is.