Andrews Johns is the most skilful, Brad Fittler the most complete, Sonny Bill Williams the most naturally gifted, Wally Lewis the toughest and Ruben Wiki the most intimidating - but Darren James Lockyer is the greatest player of all time.
Forget all that modern era tosh and the maxim that you can't compare generations. Of course you can. Don Bradman stands alone as the greatest cricketer of all time because his statistical achievements are so far beyond that of any rival. Lockyer fits into the same camp. His achievements - most tests, games as captain and tries for Australia; most State of Origin appearances; most NRL games - transcend generations. Yes, those statistical marks are down mainly to longevity, but that is entirely the point. Lockyer has been able to operate at the peak of his powers for longer than any other player in history. Others may have played more seasons, but not at the same level.
Most of Lockyer's marks will stand forever. The 355 NRL game record is the only one under imminent threat. Nathan Hindmarsh is the nearest active player with 307 games and the 32-year-old Eels warhorse will go close to breaking Lockyer's mark if he plays two more full seasons.
Lockyer's career, though, has been about so much more than statistics. He possesses - present tense applies because the file is not closed yet - all the requisite qualities of a great footy player. The searing pace of his younger days may have eased off a touch but his vision and precision have more than made up for that in his twilight years. On attack he remains a run/pass/kick threat. He has always been a solid defender despite a frame that is small by modern standards. He is as tough as they come and is a natural leader.
It's a testament to Lockyer's greatness that in his 17th season, and at the age of 34, he will likely win the Golden Boot. It would be his third, to go alongside the 2003 and 2006 editions. After the Broncos struggled badly last year and their talisman battled a succession of injuries, many assumed this year would be a bridge too far for the ageing maestro. But, as he has done his whole career, Lockyer vanquished those doubts in fine style. He led a Broncos resurgence that only ended after he was invalided out of the finals with a smashed cheekbone; he chalked up yet another Origin series victory; and tomorrow he'll likely ice the season by lifting yet another trophy as captain of his country in the Four Nations final in Leeds.
