Josh, Penny, Jack and Sarah Kelly with Darren Lockyer.
Most wouldn’t expect the man who started Queensland’s era of rugby league dominance to be particularly popular in Central West NSW – in the middle of a State of Origin series no less – but Darren Lockyer was warmly welcomed in Mudgee on Tuesday.
The former Broncos, Maroons and Kangaroos skipper was in town for a series of mine site visits in the morning – as part of his role with One Key Resources – and a charity evening benefiting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
But in between he held a coaching clinic at Cahill Park where a large crowd swarmed hungry for pictures, autographs and – for the younger fans – a chance to have a run with one of rugby league’s greatest players.
Lockyer said he was surprised but pleased with the response to the clinic and even found some fellow Maroons among the crowd.
“I was told we were going to have a bit of a coaching clinic and run with the kids, so I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw how many there were,” he said.
“But it’s good, from a rugby league perspective it’s great to see so many kids participating. There were a lot of Queensland jerseys, a couple of Broncos jerseys and one Titans jersey in there.
“This time of year us Queenslanders are in enemy territory, but it’s all about the game and at least in the couple of games of touch I played I had a few Queenslanders on my side.”
On his home state’s chances in the Origin series, Lockyer acknowledged they’re in a good position but not without pressure.
“There’s no doubt that we’ll go into the game favourites playing at home, but NSW were favourites in game one,” he said.
“There’s no denying it will be a tough task for NSW to win up there.
“From a Queensland perspective we’ve got a wonderful opportunity to win the series in Brisbane.
“Game one is always so vital and when you’ve got two games in Sydney you think it’s going to be tough to win that series.
“We’ve climbed one mountain, so to speak, now we’ve got to climb another one, because if we’re not successful in game two it becomes Mount Everest in game three.”
Source: Sam Potts, Mudgee Guardian, 16 June 2016
Link: http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/3971975/mudgee-loves-darren-lockyer-photos/
