From Berko of Fan Chronicle comments section - “I think you drastically exaggerate the 'death' of Lockyer. Do you think this side performs better with any other 6 from the competition? I doubt it very much. And that is even without considering the intangibles that his presence alone brings to the side. Ask the players if you doubt me.
And your assessment of the World Cup final must have been based on defence only. With ball in hand he was CLEARLY the best player on the field. He was responsible for everything that the Aussies produced in attack. And it was a remarkable performance behind what I considered to be a handily beaten forward pack on the night.”
Finally, after hitting that magical 50 visits mark, I got my first inquisitory comment. This is like when a rookie gets a full season under his belt and suddenly he’s accountable. Either way, I’m glad I lost my comment virginity to somebody who made some good points.
You’re right, I was a little harsh on The Captain, and no, I wouldn’t exchange him for any other 6 in the league. There has been some miscommunication because I didn’t contextualise this argument. Let me state: Lockyer is still the best 6 in the league. Period.
I made the case in my “Threesomes are awkward, even at the Origin level” peice that he should have been selected for the Australian team over Scott Prince, and I believe offensivley, he is still intuitivly superior to anybody else in the league.
I said that he still hits 4th gear consistently, and that he still has some 5th gear performances in him. Remember—and I should have said something about this—his 4th gear is better then anyone elses. My argument centered around his performance decline relative to what HE is capable of.
Most of it is simple wear and tear. The guy is 32 and has 380 plus games under his belt, including 29 Origin matches. At some point you just break down, and I think that is what we have begun to see since the World Cup last year. His physical deterioration is hindering what does on both ends. And that’s why I nitpicked his defence. Its where the physical deterioration is most clearly exposed. It’s like in CSI when they run a black light over a rape victims bedsheets—everything is exposed.
The truth is he has been terrible in defence this year. He gets beaten on the inside far too easily these days. Anybody with a good step, or a team who runs quick switches can expose him. A big part of it is the loss of Tonie Carroll, but I think most of it is his body. He just can’t catch up; like I said, he’s lost a step.
(I also made the point that Thaiday has to step into that Carrol “enforcer” role. These guys should love playing with him. He lives to make them better. GIVE HIM SOME PROTECTION!!!)
As for his intangibles, you’re singing to the choir. But you're right, I should have made more of that. He is a true leader and his on field direction can’t be underestimated. Who wouldn’t want to play with him.
I pointed out in my April 21st piece that he can continue to play on because he is a facilitator with a lot of talent around him and he wont have to engage in a high volume of contact, but I think this will be his last really good year. I believe Origin is going to have a serious tole on him this year, and it could be his last series.
I was trying to be overtly objective and disregard my man-crush love of Lockyer. I should have spent more time on him. After all The Captain deserves better. Thanks for keeping me in check with some good questions, spread the word, keep the questions coming, and if nothing else, keep reading.
Brisbane Sports Fan
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