REAL CHAMPS LISTEN TO THEIR COACHES

Photo: Darren Lockyer, the champion who listens.

CHAMP LOCKYER LISTENED AND HEEDED ADVICE … During the weekend, a mother told me that her granddaughter is now not listening as she used to. Now she, still a teenager, thinks she knows a bit than to just remain quiet when bubu meri is talking.

That reminded me of my post last week. Champions know how to listen.

Many idolize Darren Lockyer, one of the greatest Rugby League players of all time. But not many comment about the way the “quiet” man lead the Maroons and Brisbane Broncos to winning game after game.

You never see him getting cross, saying bad things or fighting like other captains before him did. One thing that made him stand apart from the rest is how he took advice from his coaches, particularly Wayne Bennett.

Lockyer came off the bench to play as a five-eight in 1995 for Brisbane Broncos. A year later he was made the permanent full back for the Broncos. In 1997 he was the top point scorer in the team because of his goal-kicking and try-scoring abilities.

He would soon be a top full back, try-scoring machine and played  for the Kangaroos.

In 2004, almost a decade later, Broncos coach Bennett moved him from the full back position to the halves. Lockyer did not complain – even when he was the top full back player in the world. He took it calmly, adjusted and controlled the game in the halves. That enabled him also to do the same for the national team.

I read somewhere last year that Bennett said “Lockyer was a player with great attitude”.

Bennett knew that Lockyer could have complained or protested in 2004 – but then the “quiet” man must have realized that the coach knew better.

Lockyer’s move did not lessen his abilities – it just made him bigger and greater. The coach knew what the player could achieve – not what he was enjoying then.

Phil Gould would also say of Lockyer in 2004: “The world’s greatest full back is now the world’s greatest five-eight.”

Lockyer is a champion.

PLS friends, do LISTEN when people who know a little more than you talk. Read more about Lockyer.