Official Player of the Decade is....

[pennywisealfie]

I know you know already. He won by a landslide. Heres the article yall...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26534304-5018866,00.html

Your say: Darren Lockyer named foxsports.com.au NRL player of decade

By Martin Smith
foxsports.com.au
December 29, 2009 Foxsports.com.au users have spoken and in a tight two-horse race, Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has been voted the NRL player of the decade.

The winner is ... how foxsports.com.au users voted.
​

In a week-long poll, Lockyer held off Newcastle Knights great Andrew Johns to poll 5491 votes ahead of Joey's 4620
It was a case of daylight third, with Sydney Roosters great Brad Fittler the best of the rest, polling 588 votes. In total, 12,964 people voted.
Now we want you to tell us what you think. If you voted for Lockyer, what is your favourite memory of him. If you didn't, why do you think somebody else deserves the accolade of player of the 2000s? And what about our shortlist? Did we get it right? Did we miss anyone?

 

[Non Terminator]

Official? It's an opinion poll.
But good on him.

 

[pennywisealfie]

The fans know, and to win by that much, i'd say its pretty official.

 

[mozza91]

Fair call Johns was a better player but Lockyer played the whole decade

 

[Tommy Smith]

Lockyer may have played the whole decade but Johns was a much better player. So Joey would have easily been my choice.

But these player of the decade polls are always dodgy because how do you weigh up duration vs ability? It's not Joeys fault his career fell pretty much between 95-05.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

Lockyer may have played the whole decade but Johns was a much better player. So Joey would have easily been my choice.

But these player of the decade polls are always dodgy because how do you weigh up duration vs ability? It's not Joeys fault his career fell pretty much between 95-05.

They are dodgy because 90% of Queenslanders will vote for Lockyer and those from NSW will split their votes across the top players...

 

[pennywisealfie]

They are dodgy because 90% of Queenslanders will vote for Lockyer and those from NSW will split their votes across the top players...

mainly because Lockyer was the better player

 

[African Monkey]

Hegs was the player of the decade imo.

 

[perverse]

nearly half of johns' legend was built prior to this decade, and he must have spent about 3 seasons worth of games nursing injuries this decade too.

lockyer is a bloody fair win in my book, even if the poll is a bloody dodgy indicator. he's played practically the whole decade, less injury prone, and as far as personal achievements go would surpass johns in this decade. that doesn't make him a better football player, but it is a deserved accolade.

best performance of the decade by an individual player would be an interesting off season poll... if anyone can be bothered putting together a list to vote from. there would be some interesting players in some interesting games, no doubt.

 

[user_nat]

They are dodgy because 90% of Queenslanders will vote for Lockyer and those from NSW will split their votes across the top players...

Which would make sense if it wasn't for the fact that there are 3 NSW players and 7 QLD on the list.
Lockyer alone has more than those 3 combined.

 

[Loudstrat]

Hindy isn't mentioned. Crap dud poll.

Both Johns and Fittler own Heather.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Hindy isn't mentioned. Crap dud poll.

Both Johns and Fittler own Heather.

says the biggest hater on the forum...

 

[simostorm]

I agree.. Lockyer player of the decade.

 

[Apey]

The fans know, and to win by that much, i'd say its pretty official.

lol, nice bait.

 

[Loudstrat]

says the biggest hater on the forum...

Heather only blossomed in the halves at rep level when Joey and Freddy retired. To be fair, he's the Broncos player of the decade.

 

[Big Pete]

Freddy was only around a year by the time Lockyer got his shot at five eigth.

Joey was only around two and only faced him once in reps.

Also Lockyer arguably played his best game of football in the 04 Tri Nations Final.

 

[Raider_69]

Andrew John's last few years were pretty ordinary.
Injuries aside when he was on the paddock he played some pretty ordinary games, as to be expected when being rushed back from injury when they happened (which was frequently)

the facts are Lockyer has played 2 positions this decade and dominated from both of them. He's been there from minute one and has been quite durable over that time. Easily the best player over the decade of 2000-2009

 

[Johns Magic]

Andrew John's last few years were pretty ordinary.
Injuries aside when he was on the paddock he played some pretty ordinary games, as to be expected when being rushed back from injury when they happened (which was frequently)

He retired at the start of 2007.

In 2006 he led us to 4th.

In 2005 he came back halfway through the year after the Knights were winless after 13 matches and NSW were 1-0 down in the series. NSW won the last two matches with Johns putting in an unforgettable performance in game 2(MOM), and the Knights won 8 of their last 11 matches.

Fair enough if you don't think he played enough games/was injured too much to win this poll, but he had pretty bloody good years in his last couple...2005 being just about his best ever form.

 

[Red Bear]

Andrew John's last few years were pretty ordinary.
Injuries aside when he was on the paddock he played some pretty ordinary games, as to be expected when being rushed back from injury when they happened (which was frequently)

the facts are Lockyer has played 2 positions this decade and dominated from both of them. He's been there from minute one and has been quite durable over that time. Easily the best player over the decade of 2000-2009

Missed most of 04 due to injury. Was very rusty first few games of 05 and then the broken jaw did him the world of good because it gave him a few extra weeks to get his leg right. Came back dominated a game of origin and almost won the dally m playing supurbly the second half of that year. 06 he was still pretty damn goood from memory and 07 was a bit of a right off. Hardly ordinary, although granted he mightn't have played long enough of the decade.

 

[Raider_69]

I saw a lot of ordinary games from johns post 2005. I know he was still a great player and he was still pulling out big performances but im just saying, he wasnt the becon of consistancy club wise during his later years.

But anyways, aside for all that, i also dont think he played enough games in this decade. Not enough to get over Lockyer for player of the decade