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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225898175663
Darren Lockyer wants to play for two more years
EXCLUSIVE written by Peter Badel
Source: The Daily Telegraph
July 29, 2010 12:00AM
Veteran ... Darren Lockyer. Source: The Courier-Mail
BULLDOGS great Terry Lamb has backed Darren Lockyer to be rugby league's greatest warrior by becoming the first man to play 350 first-grade games.
Lamb and Manly great Steve Menzies share the crown for the most first-grade games played in Australian rugby league with 349.
But with Lockyer yesterday revealing his plan to play on until the end of 2012, Lamb backed the Broncos legend to not only pass that mark, but to go on and reach 400.
"I think in a few years we'll be talking about him as the great Darren Lockyer," Lamb said of Lockyer, who has played 331 first-grade games.
"He deserves every bit of it. If he stays injury-free and he does play until the end of 2012, I don't think anyone will ever catch him.
"You look at how he's playing now and there doesn't seem to be any reason why he couldn't play beyond [2012]."
The Broncos aren't going to stand in Lockyer's way and have assured him that if he does play on to 2012, the club won't squeeze out a future star to accommodate him under the salary cap.
In a coup for the Broncos ahead of Sunday's crucial clash against the Dragons, Lockyer said his outstanding form had convinced him that his battle-hardened frame could cope with an 18th season of first-grade in 2012.
Off contract at the end of next season, Lockyer was expected to retire in 2011 after a frustrating two-year battle to return to the peak of his powers following a knee reconstruction four seasons ago.
But the champion pivot wants one final contract, which would have him playing beyond his 35th birthday.
Lockyer has spoken informally with Brisbane football operations chief Andrew Gee, who has told the Queensland and Test skipper the club has room under the salary cap to accommodate him beyond next season.
"I don't feel like I'm close to retirement," Lockyer said. "I'm keen to be involved in 2012. The way I'm thinking, I will be playing on beyond next year.
"I won't sit down with the club until next season to sort it out [officially], but 2012 is definitely in my mind."
Gee said the Broncos would be delighted to have Lockyer on board beyond next year and they have set aside funds for a contract extension.
"We haven't spoken at length but I've told him if he wants to go on, we'll be able to keep him," Gee said.
"The way he's playing now, he could go another five years. He's a champion. Locky can do what he likes."
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