Darren Lockyer, one of rugby league’s most celebrated figures and a symbol of loyalty to the Brisbane Broncos, recently opened up about a significant moment in his career that almost took a dramatically different path. Speaking during an appearance on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, the former Broncos captain and rugby league legend confessed that he came close to leaving the club he would go on to represent in over 350 matches. The destination? None other than the Sydney Roosters, one of the NRL’s powerhouse clubs.
Lockyer, renowned for his brilliance at both fullback and five-eighth, played an incredible 355 first-grade games — all in the maroon and gold of Brisbane. However, as he told the panel on Sunday, there was a moment in time when that enduring loyalty almost wavered.
During a conversation that also featured former Roosters great Brad Fittler and rugby league immortal Andrew Johns, Lockyer was directly asked whether he ever seriously considered leaving the Broncos. In a surprising twist, he admitted that the possibility became a topic of serious discussion — particularly around the time Fittler retired from the Roosters in 2004.
“Yeah — when he retired,” Lockyer said, gesturing toward Fittler. “They were obviously looking [for a five-eighth] and I had just started playing six.”
At that point in his career, Lockyer was transitioning from fullback — a position in which he had already cemented his legacy — to five-eighth. The move, which proved to be a masterstroke both for his personal development and the Broncos’ team structure, coincided with Fittler’s retirement. Naturally, the Roosters were in the market for a new playmaker to fill the void left by their talisman, and Lockyer’s name was among those considered.
He went on to explain that although the idea of moving to Bondi was never firmly on the table, it was something he did take seriously for a brief period.
“I was close, because I had just started playing five-eighth,” Lockyer recalled. “I wouldn’t say close-close, but I entertained the idea at the start for a little bit.”
However, as the situation developed, Lockyer’s deep-rooted connection to Brisbane began to outweigh the lure of a fresh start with the Roosters. Around the same time, he was being discussed internally as the future captain of the Broncos — a significant factor in his eventual decision to stay. “As that progressed, I was being talked about as the next captain of the Broncos and I loved the Broncos as a kid, so I ended up staying,” he added.
At the time, there had been widespread media speculation linking Lockyer with a move to the Roosters following Fittler’s retirement. The reports never amounted to an official deal, and eventually, the Roosters chose to recruit Braith Anasta from the Bulldogs ahead of the 2006 season. Anasta went on to have a strong tenure with the club, but fans still wonder what might have happened if Lockyer had made the switch.
Lockyer’s eventual choice to stay with Brisbane solidified his legendary status at the club. His name remains synonymous with the Broncos’ golden era, and his leadership both on and off the field played a vital role in the team’s success throughout the 2000s. He still holds the record for the most games played for the Broncos — a remarkable achievement in itself — and his legacy continues to influence generations of players who wear the jersey after him.
But his impact wasn’t limited to club football. Lockyer’s representative career was equally, if not more, decorated. He captained the Australian national team, the Kangaroos, in a record 59 matches and played 36 games in State of Origin — a figure that places him in the top three all-time appearances for Queensland. His transition from fullback to five-eighth is often cited as one of the smoothest and most successful positional changes in the sport’s history, further cementing his versatility and rugby league intelligence.
His remarkable achievements have made him a strong candidate for Immortal status — the highest individual honor in Australian rugby league. While no formal announcement has been made yet, many within the game expect it’s only a matter of time before Lockyer joins the exclusive group of Immortals, which includes names like Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, and Andrew Johns.
The story of Lockyer’s almost-move to the Roosters adds a fascinating ‘what if’ layer to his otherwise consistent and loyal club career. It also sheds light on the subtle behind-the-scenes movements and decisions that shape NRL rosters and the legacies of its most important players. Had he made the switch, the course of both the Broncos and Roosters could have changed dramatically. Brisbane might have had to build around a new leader, while Sydney would have gained one of the most intelligent and composed playmakers in rugby league history.
Interestingly, Brad Fittler, whose retirement sparked the Roosters’ search for a replacement, was sitting next to Lockyer as he recounted the story. Fittler, himself a former New South Wales and Kangaroos captain, smiled as Lockyer told the tale — a moment that showcased the mutual respect and shared history between two giants of the game.
Now aged 48, Lockyer remains a prominent figure in rugby league. He works in media and continues to be involved with the Broncos and the NRL in various capacities, offering expert commentary and guidance for the next generation of players. His influence, both during and after his playing days, is immense — and stories like this one only add depth to his already rich legacy.
In a sport where player movement is increasingly common, Lockyer’s loyalty to one club across his entire career is both rare and admirable. While the idea of him wearing a Roosters jersey remains purely hypothetical, the fact that it was ever a possibility offers a compelling insight into the career of one of the greatest players the sport has seen.
Ultimately, Darren Lockyer chose the club he grew up supporting and built a historic career that has forever etched his name into rugby league folklore. And while fans of the Roosters can only wonder what could have been, Broncos supporters can feel fortunate that their hero stayed true — even when t
he temptation to leave was real.
