Brisbane, June 15, 2025 – Rugby league icon Darren Lockyer has revealed he seriously considered a move to the Sydney Roosters in the mid-2000s before ultimately choosing to stay loyal to the Brisbane Broncos.
Speaking on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Lockyer, who amassed a club-record 355 first-grade appearances, said the switch nearly happened when he was transitioning from fullback to five-eighth. He acknowledged the Roosters had expressed interest “when [Brad] Fittler retired” in 2004.
Lockyer admitted: “I was close… I’d just started playing five-eighth. I wouldn’t say close, close, but I entertained the idea at the start for a little bit.”
However, mounting support within the Broncos organization and the prospect of captaincy persuaded him to remain at Red Hill.
“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.”
The Roosters, after ultimately missing out on Lockyer, signed Braith Anasta for the 2006 season—a move that shaped the futures of both clubs.
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Lockyer’s legacy in Brisbane is nearly unrivalled. He remains the most-capped Bronco, concluded with 355 games, captained 59 times for Australia and appeared 36 times for Queensland in State of Origin—among the highest tallies ever for those teams.
As debate continues about his inclusion as a Rugby League Immortal, Lockyer’s near-switch underscores his deep attachment to Brisbane and illustrates how that choice preserved one of the most storied careers in NRL history.
Lockyer’s revelation adds a compelling chapter to his legacy, blending near-miss drama with the reaffirmation of his legendary status in rugby league.
