QLD: Back you go, Locky

[Queenslander]

Back you go, Locky
GREG DAVIS
28may06
The Sunday Mail

QUEENSLAND legend Paul Vautin says Darren Lockyer (right in picture) must return to fullback for the Maroons so the skipper can rediscover his career-best form and save the State of Origin series.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5160054,00.jpg
The former Queensland captain and coach said switching Lockyer to fullback and uniting Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston in the Maroons halves would be the only change he would make to the line-up which suffered a 17-16 loss to the Blues in the series opener on Wednesday night.

And Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris has confirmed moving the Maroons captain could be on the agenda, saying: "It's always an option. Scott Prince has been playing very well this year."

Vautin said Lockyer's scorching display at fullback in the last 30 minutes of the Anzac Test was all the evidence the Maroons selectors needed to justify the backline reshuffle.

Lockyer scored two tries in half an hour and gave Australia a three-pronged attack with Thurston and Andrew Johns in a startling reminder of his outstanding form at fullback in the 2001 Origin series and the 2003 Kangaroos tour.

"I know they (the Queensland selectors) were seriously toying with the idea of putting him back there for Game I but it's time they bit the bullet," Vautin said. "He is a terrific fullback and like most people, I've always thought it was his best position.

"I remember back in the 2001 Origin series I was in awe of the way he was playing. He was at the peak of his powers and was dead-set untouchable playing at fullback for Queensland and there's no reason why he can't do it again.

"He showed in the last part of the Test that he's still got it. He only moved to five-eighth as a necessity for the Broncos.

"But we don't need him there for Queensland now because we have a wonderful player in Johnathan Thurston who is a natural five-eighth.'

'Don't get me wrong, Locky is a very good five-eighth. But he's an even better fullback, one of the best of all time.

"The way he ghosted into the line whenever and wherever he wanted was just lethal and he used to glide across the park effortlessly and cause all sorts of problems for defensive lines.

"We haven't seen him do that much while he's been at five-eighth and we need him being that threat if we want to stop the Blues."

Vautin said NSW's domination in the forwards in the opening exchanges didn't help Lockyer and Thurston and said Cowboys prop Shane Tronc should be considered for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on June 14.

"We played too much side-to-side football which played into the Blues' hands a bit and we have to go forward before we can worry about the fancy stuff," he said.

"I'm a big Shane Tronc fan and the selectors should get in his ear and ask him to show what he can do over the next couple of weeks."

Vautin said Queensland should stick with the seven rookies blooded in Origin I.

"We made them look terrific in that first half but they weren't that good because we could not have played any worse and we only lost by a point," he said.

"The debutants will only be better for the experience and we have to give them another crack at Lang Park."

[[BroncosGirl]]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! That is all I have to say :(

[Steelers]

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSS!!!

We need it BADLY

[Queenslander]

']NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! That is all I have to say :(

I agree, chucking Locky back into a position that he hasnt played for two years is fraught with danger. With specialist fullbacks like Bowen, Slater, Wesser, Schifcoske there is no need to put him back there.

YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSS!!!

We need it BADLY

Why? We are not running out of fullbacks as per my point above and Lockyer is in career best form. The entire Queensland team was off last wednesday night, no need to swap everyone around cause of it.

[Teegy]

Yes

reason we have a past worlds best fullback and he doesn't look comfortable at 5/8 in SOO. Bowen is to shacky under bombs. Moving Locky allows Prince to play half where he played very well at a few years ago but got pushed out of by Thurston. Thurston perfers 5/8th. the team would provide so much more attacking skills with thurston and Prince in the Halves and Locky at Fullback

[[BroncosGirl]]

The BRoncos proved last night, used in the right way, Locky is a standout 5/8, the best there is. Mal and QLD just have tolearn how to do that.
That means we need:
Less Pressure onLocky (so forwards needing to give him more room, Thurston needs to step up).
Also whatever the Broncos do with Locky defensively, do it in Origin, coz his defense was pretty damn good last night.

We've got too many good fullbacks to waste in wing positions. Bowen, Hunt, Inglish, Shif. We can't get rid of class players like that, to takea gamble at moving Locky (who hasnt' defused a Bomb in years, and his kick return who knows? Plus his position defense for fullback might not be up to par). Its a gamble for S.O.O. When there are things for cetain we could improve to help Locky. Locky has the ability to play 5/8.


Prince has done jack all this year for Tigers, done nothing special at all. Hasn't been in great form.

[Steelers]

']The BRoncos proved last night, used in the right way, Locky is a standout 5/8, the best there is. Mal and QLD just have to learn how to do that.

So what you are saying is that the whole team has to change for the sake of Locky? No thankyou... I would prefer to move him to fullback rather than have QLD completely overhaul their playing style for 1 player.

[Queenslander]

So what you are saying is that the whole team has to change for the sake of Locky? No thankyou... I would prefer to move him to fullback rather than have QLD completely overhaul their playing style for 1 player.

So Locky has to play in a position that he hasnt played for years just to please some fans? No thankyou.... Locky is the best five eight going around, his current form is probably career best. Besides the team isnt changing because of Locky. The only players that are playing out of position are Thurston (however he can play pretty much anywhere) and Inglis (However he can play anywhere in the back line also)

[[BroncosGirl]]

So what you are saying is that the whole team has to change for the sake of Locky? No thankyou... I would prefer to move him to fullback rather than have QLD completely overhaul their playing style for 1 player.
No. Where did I state that :roll: They have to change for teh sake of Qld ;) and im not talking about a complete overhaul, gees.

All I said, is that the forwards need to give him more room, DUH, any team has to do that. QLD forwards didnt' do that Wed Night.

But even THurston didnt' step up WEd night, even if Thurston did move to 5/8, the forwards would still need to perform better to give him room.

And hey if it means we have a quality 5/8 (who played as well as Locky did alst night), what the hell is wrong with a few changes. GOOD changes.

Its also the pressure thing, The fb and hb and hooker, have to take pressure off the 5/8. NO matter who the 5/8 is!!! YOu see, if Smith, whoever the FB is(should be Hunt) and THurston take pressure off Locky, he'll have a blinder. He'll be able to inject himself usefully, and his link with Hunt would be handy against NSW.

[Flanker/5-8]

I don't understand why people say Bowen is shaky under the high ball - you saw what he did on Wednesday - caught the bomb under pressure and ran thirty metres from it. Yes, he does let the kicks bounce if there are no chasers, but better that than knock it on.

Also - Lockyer WAS a great fullback, but he IS a good five-eighth. We don't need him at the back when we have four or five QLD fullbacks going around...it's hard enough to fit the talent into the Maroons backline as it is.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Thats because hewas on the run, it wasn't that difficult (i mean in terms of fullbacks being able to catchit, I know I couldn't :p). He didn't really have time to think about it, he just caught, its when he does have time, and its goes through his head, and he lets it bounce. Anyways, its really in general.

All we need is one wrong bounce to end up in NSW hands, and boom a try, qld lose :(

[Queenslander]

I don't understand why people say Bowen is shaky under the high ball - you saw what he did on Wednesday - caught the bomb under pressure and ran thirty metres from it. Yes, he does let the kicks bounce if there are no chasers, but better that than knock it on.


Im surprised alot of people havent mention that catch, it was simply awesome. I think alot of people see Bowen letting the ball bounce as a sign of weakness, however IMO its the way that he plays. If Bowen was taller than im sure that he wouldnt do that.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Im surprised alot of people havent mention that catch, it was simply awesome. I think alot of people see Bowen letting the ball bounce as a sign of weakness, however IMO its the way that he plays. If Bowen was taller than im sure that he wouldnt do that.

But thats just it , isnt it? his height and size IS a problem when it comes to s.o.o level. You simply can't do that.

[Dakink]

As a Blue I hope the selectors play him in no.6 - he is a turnstile in the front line. Move him back to fulback and I think WLd will be alot more dangerous - to the point of winning the last two games. At 6 they still might but I am more confident in NSW.

[Queenslander]

']But thast just it , isnt it? his heigh and size IS a problem when it comes to s.o.o level. You simply can't do that.

His height has good and bad sides:

Good side: can dart around forwards with ease, and easily break through tackles

Bad side: high ball a bit too high ;) and gets run over by huge forwards, Bowen had no chance against Mason during SOO. However Mason shouldnt have been allowed to get through the line, another player should have gotten to him to atleast slow him down.

[~Wild Child~]

So Locky has to play in a position that he hasnt played for years just to please some fans? No thankyou.... Locky is the best five eight going around, his current form is probably career best. Besides the team isnt changing because of Locky. The only players that are playing out of position are Thurston (however he can play pretty much anywhere) and Inglis (However he can play anywhere in the back line also)Agree QLDer. Lockyer is playing in career best form...:clap: And as Broncos says it's not a matter of moving everyone's position just to suit Locky...Anyway where ever he is placed he will give more than 110%..

[[BroncosGirl]]

His height has good and bad sides:

Good side: can dart around forwards with ease, and easily break through tackles

Bad side: high ball a bit too high ;) and gets run over by huge forwards, Bowen had no chance against Mason during SOO. However Mason shouldnt have been allowed to get through the line, another player should have gotten to him to atleast slow him down.

Alot of people can dart around the fowards and break tackles ifthey want, you don't have to be super small to do it. Inglish can do it, Hodges (and he's not small) can do it, Hunt can, etc etc

Looks tobe alot more negatives then positives for Matty at S.O.O level.!

[Flanker/5-8]

Bowen's an instictive player. That's what makes him exciting - he can pull anything out of his hat. Hunt attacks like a back rower, running straight lines, and is pretty shocking when it comes to defense.

IMO Bowen is a certainty to keep the No. 1 for Origin II and III, and this leaves Lockyer at five-eighth. Personally, I'd take a Thurston-Prince halves combo and pull Lockyer out of the side completely, but it's not going to happen.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Hunt isnt shocking at defense? He WAS shocking, but he's improved immensely. Plus did you see Bowens defensive attempt in Origin, nothing great, he got steamrolled. Hunt has the size to stop or at least slow down the NSW big men. His positional defense has been fantastic.

Hunt can pull anything out of his hat, we just don't see it often at the BRoncos because he plays second key to Locky and Perry/Seymour. He's an attackling link between the halves and centres/wingers, and for the forwards. However he is capable of taking control. When Locky goes missing sometimes to give others a go, Hunt is often tehre, hes there out of dummy half, or first receiver. He can put a kick in here and there, can dart around looking for a pass thats on, or for options.

No one should ever doubt Hunts attacking abilities. But he has the upper on Bowen in terms of size and heigh, which is CRUCIAL in origin.

[Steelers]

Personally, I'd take a Thurston-Prince halves combo and pull Lockyer out of the side completely, but it's not going to happen.

Same here, but they won't drop Lockyer so the next best thing IMO is him at fullback.

[~Wild Child~]

Bowen's an instictive player. That's what makes him exciting - he can pull anything out of his hat. Hunt attacks like a back rower, running straight lines, and is pretty shocking when it comes to defense.

IMO Bowen is a certainty to keep the No. 1 for Origin II and III, and this leaves Lockyer at five-eighth. Personally, I'd take a Thurston-Prince halves combo and pull Lockyer out of the side completely, but it's not going to happen.No thats right it won't happen..why would you completely pull Locky who is in peak form out of the side?

[[BroncosGirl]]

No thats right it won't happen..why would you completely pull Locky who is in peak form out of the side?

I understand where they are coming from, but they too make the same mistake, the QLD players made on Wed night. They think its all to do with Locky. Take Locky out, doesn't mean QLD will win. He didnt' lose it for them.

The forwards MUST step up and give the halves, whoever they may be, more room. The FB and hooker, must provide attacking options to take the pressure off.

People are acting like if hegets pulled out of the side, thats our problems fixed, no its not. Hes not the problem. Its the TEAM that didn't perform. Locky can only perform as well as his forwards and other team mates let him. He can't pull the side out of trouble miraculously.

In saying that, people are all of a sudden forgetting the passes that helped set up some QLD tries.

[Flanker/5-8]

Why we're talking about dropping Lockyer who is playing the best footy of his career...Even if Locky is at career peak form - he isn't peaking as high as Thurston is right now, who still has his best footy in front of him.

When he was in form, he was the best fullback in the game. Now, though, he's not up to Origin standard.

[RIP]

SEND HIM BACK, He's not in his peek & He was playing his best at Fullback

[Teegy]

yep drop him back prince was on fire today and locky will be better at FB

[Queenslander]

yep drop him back prince was on fire today and locky will be better at FB

Yes Prince was on fire today, but its against the Rabbitohs, so its not really the best team to be judged against. Prince's big test is against the Cowboys next week.

Plus if we do put Lockyer back at Fullback, what happens if he fails?.......Just drop him fullstop! Silly move considering he is in what many consider his career best form.

[Super Cronk]

IMO he shouldnt be moved to fullback. I think there are many fullbacks better then Lockyer and that they should start looking to the future. He has been at 5/8 for to long now and fear he may have lost his touch at the back.

[Townsville Titan]

It doesnt really bother me cos im a blues fan anyway.. but i do agree with putting lockyer back at fullback where he plays best... perhaps switch him with Bowen, give him a shot at 5/8. That way, bowen wouldnt have to sake under the high ball and Lockyer is back where he got famous...

I also agree with the forwards not stepping up on SoO1, they were pathetic really... Mason, Hindmarsh, O'Meley, Menzies, they all stood upto the Maroons and walked all over'em. Perhaps Benett should come back...
:hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

[Super Cronk]

It doesnt really bother me cos im a blues fan anyway.. but i do agree with putting lockyer back at fullback where he plays best... perhaps switch him with Bowen, give him a shot at 5/8. That way, bowen wouldnt have to sake under the high ball and Lockyer is back where he got famous...

I also agree with the forwards not stepping up on SoO1, they were pathetic really... Mason, Hindmarsh, O'Meley, Menzies, they all stood upto the Maroons and walked all over'em. Perhaps Benett should come back...
:hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

But when did he play his best at fullback? how long ago?

[Townsville Titan]

But when did he play his best at fullback? how long ago?

I know, it was quite a few years ago, but one never forgets how to ride a bike. Surely he hasnt forgotten what its like to stand back and catch bombs. I suppose he is starting to slow down a bit...

[Super Cronk]

I know, it was quite a few years ago, but one never forgets how to ride a bike. Surely he hasnt forgotten what its like to stand back and catch bombs. I suppose he is starting to slow down a bit...

Riding a bike is a bit easier then playing fullback ild think ;)

David Kidwell used to play in the centres many many years ago...do you think he could move to the centres and be one of the best centres in the game?

I agree that lockyer was a great fullback...but apprently (what ive heard in the media) he doesnt particularly like the position anymore and prefers 5/8. I think his positioning would be out of whack..he is a smart footy player and IMO they need his footy brain close to the ball.

[Townsville Titan]

Probably because it involves less running and more passing, which is a skill that he gets better at, as with most footballers.
I suppose he shouldnt play at fullback, i just miss the way he used to play there, especially for Australia.

[Super Cronk]

I think alot of people miss his fullback days. I still think when on fire he is better at 5/8. The plays he can set up and the stuff he is capable of is crazy.

[Townsville Titan]

I think when someone else in his team steps up and takes the pressure off him, he'll be more focused on plays than dodging tackles. Thurston and Bowen let him down on Wednesday.

[[BroncosGirl]]

I think when someone else in his team steps up and takes the pressure off him, he'll be more focused on plays than dodging tackles. Thurston and Bowen let him down on Wednesday.

Exactly, why is is all Locky's fault. Thats why it works in the Broncos, Hunt steps up, our hooker and whoever is halfback steps up. Thurston and Bowen didn't do that Wed.

[Townsville Titan]

']Exactly, why is is all Locky's fault. Thats why it works in the Broncos, Hunt steps up, our hooker and whoever is halfback steps up. Thurston and Bowen didn't do that Wed.

Which suprised the hell out of me, considering the Cowboys start to the season as compliment to them.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Which suprised the hell out of me, considering the Cowboys start to the season as compliment to them.

Yea, basically, the whole of Qld didnt step up though. The forwards, the Halves, backs. Smith and Hodges had their moments. Thats about it.

[Steve Dangerous]

i thought lockyer's defence was good on wed. def not 'turnstile'.


my bet is that they bring in hunt at fullback. his combo with lockyer would work well. and hopefully they'll bring bell into the centers.

[Dakink]

i thought lockyer's defence was good on wed. def not 'turnstile'.

Must of watched a different game to me then - I can clearly remember him getting run through a few times.

[Capital_Shark]

Bowen is a great player, watching the Cowboys v Raiders the other night I had to remind myself it was the same bloke from Wednesday. I just don't think he's made for origin footy, too small, especially when NSW has monsters on the wing like Grothe and King who could of out muscled our pissy forwards on Wednesday. QLD should be worrying less about Locky and our embarrasing amount of depth at fullback and more about the situation in the forwards. NSW has some big boys that take a lot of stopping, and their pack didn't even include the likes of Bailey and Ryles.

Inglis at fullback for mine with Locky remaining in 5/8. Bell has to play in the centres, Tate has to get some form, his lack of games this year really showed in origin, should not have been picked. I'm not sure when Slater gets back or if he'll even been in first grade to start with, perhaps a wing for him depending on his return.

Just on Thurston, whats with all the running of the ball he's been doing? He's turned pretty predictable lately and seems to put an end to most of Nth. QLD's movements. Like against the Raiders when he got that try in the corner, Bowen was unmarked inside him screaming for it, and was by far the safer option, lucky he didn't go in touch or I reckon we woulda heard a bit about that.

[[BroncosGirl]]

i thought lockyer's defence was good on wed. def not 'turnstile'.


my bet is that they bring in hunt at fullback. his combo with lockyer would work well. and hopefully they'll bring bell into the centers.

Thats what'd I'd like to see. Hunt and Locky's combo at S.O.O level. PLus Hunt can take a bit of pressure off. Just see how it goes, its less of a gamble then pushing Locky back to FB.

[The Original Idiot]

The sheer amount of NSW avatars in this thread amuses me...

I get the feeling moving Lockyer will pay off handsomely for QLD.