Brisbane Broncos re-sign Darren Lockyer for two more NRL seasons
By Damien Stannard
November 15, 2009 .Rest easy Brisbane Broncos fans, Darren Lockyer has re-signed with the club that made him a champion.
The Broncos have revealed their captain has signed a new deal that will tie him to the club until the end of 2011.
It will see Lockyer add the record for most NRL games to his stunning array of representative honours.
Speaking on Saturday, just moments before his daughter's wedding, Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen wanted to end speculation that the Test skipper had not yet put pen to paper on a new contract.
"Darren's signed, subject to a few conditions. He signed with us a month ago," Cullen revealed.
The retention of such a high-profile player is usually signalled by eardrum-popping celebrations and chest beating.
Brisbane did not give the green light to party because the club want to finalise third-party agreements that will ensure Lockyer extends his career for a 16th and 17th season.
"To be fair to Darren and his manager, there's still a bit of work to be done," Cullen said.
"And it's got to be signed off by the salary cap auditor."
Lockyer's previous deal expired on October 31 and Brisbane wanted to make sure he did not embark on his record-breaking Kangaroos tour before they registered his contract.
The four-time premiership winner is already one of the most respected figures in the game.
During the Four Nations he has claimed numerous records that could one day see him considered to join Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Bob Fulton, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis and Arthur Beetson as rugby league Immortals.
In the victory against England on Sunday morning (EDT), the 32-year-old became the first to play 50 rugby leagueTests for Australia.
He also holds the record for most Tests as Australian captain (29). Another international try will break his 33-33 deadlock with Ken Irvine for most Test tries in Australia colours. Barring injury or suspension, Lockyer will take possession of two NRL milestones over the next two winters.
With 315 NRL matches under his belt, the brilliant five-eighth needs 35 more games to overtake former Manly Sea Eagle Steve Menzies' mark for most first grade career games.
He is almost certain to go past Cronulla great Andrew Ettingshausen's 328-game haul, the most first grade matches for one club.
Lockyer's retention is a shot in the arm for the NRL which has recently lost stars Dallas Johnson, Karmichael Hunt, Mark Gasnier, Danny Buderus and Sonny Bill Williams either to Super League or rugby union.
DempsModerator