Origin: Bennett hurting Lockyer's Origin chances?

[DeeGan]

Brisbane captain is also quite vocal, is he perhaps influenced by the Sydney media HodgoBerro?

Thursday March 9, 07:37 AM AAP

Tallis renews calls to shift Lockyer

Former Brisbane captain Gorden Tallis has renewed calls for the Broncos to return Darren Lockyer to fullback ahead of this weekend's NRL season opener against North Queensland.

Tallis said the extra demands placed on Lockyer in defence at five-eighth would erode his attacking ability.

"He's too good to be doing 30 tackles," Tallis told Channel Ten.

"You don't have a Darren Lockyer in your side to do 30 tackles.

"He can still play the same brand of football they just have to change the number on his back."
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Lockyer missed most of the Broncos' pre-season build-up following foot surgery but will lead the club in Sunday's derby at Suncorp Stadium.

His return, as well as that of halfback Brett Seymour, has allowed veteran coach Wayne Bennett to move Karmichael Hunt back to fullback after playing him at No.7 during the trials.

Bennett is expected to officially scratch lock Tonie Carroll from the Cowboys' clash at training on Thursday with Brad Thorn set to earn an early reprieve.

Thorn was dropped to Brisbane's feeder-club side Toowoomba on Monday but should now play for the Broncos after Carroll broke down with a hamstring injury this week.

Carroll has a long history of making miraculous recoveries but his hamstring is unlikely to be right this weekend.

Bookmakers surprisingly overlooked trial form and Brisbane's list of star players returning from injury to install the Broncos $1.62 favourites with the Cowboys a generous $2.30.

Brisbane though are something of first-up specialist having won their first game every year since 2001, while the Cowboys have not won an opening round match since 1998

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[HodgoBerro]

do you call blaming lockyer of the teams poor performance an opinon?

last time i checked theres no i in the word team

did i ever say anything about him as the qld 5/8??

[DeeGan]

do you call blaming lockyer of the teams poor performance an opinon?

last time i checked theres no i in the word team

did i ever say anything about him as the qld 5/8??

I swear we had an emoticon headbutting a brick wall on this forum...

Just for the record, produce the article where the media blamed Darren Lockyer solely for the Brisbane loss? I read most rugby league publications and I have found nothing nor recall seeing Lockyer get the blame.

I do recall many commenting on the poor form shown by the Australian captain who missed 11 tackles making 13 in 57 minutes though.

[MoS]

The Maroons squad IMO, we need some fresh legs out there. Tell me what you guys think :

1. Billy Slater
2. Brent Tate
3. Justin Hodges
4. Steven Bell
5. Greg Ingis
6. Darran Lockyer
7. Jonathan Thurston
8. Shane Tronc
9. Aaron Payne
10. Steven Price
11. Michael Crocker
12. Nate Myles
13. Ashley Harrison

14. Ben Ross
15. Carl Webb
16. Chris Flannery
17. Cooper Cronk
17. Matt Bowen