BRISBANE stars Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt will not follow Wayne Bennett out of Red Hill, quelling fears the Broncos are facing a player exodus.
The duo’s commitment to the Broncos came after it was revealed Brisbane skipper Lockyer would be consulted on which coach is the appropriate successor to six-time premiership-winner Bennett.
The Broncos face a $1 million retention battle in the coming months, with Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Joel Moon, David Stagg, Steve Michaels, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant, Darius Boyd and Rodney Davies still without contracts for next year.
Maroons hopeful Hannant underscored the contractual headaches ahead for Broncos boss Bruno Cullen on Thursday when he said Bennett’s successor would play a "big part" in whether he remained at Red Hill.
Off contract at the end of next year, Lockyer is the jewel in Brisbane’s crown and his agent George Mimis revealed the Test captain would begin assessing his career options over the next six months.
Lockyer is rumoured to have a get-out clause he can activate if Bennett leaves the Broncos – but Mimis maintains Brisbane’s most capped player is going nowhere.
"Darren is locked into the Broncos until the end of 2009 and he is committed to the club," Mimis said.
"Wayne Bennett has been Locky’s one senior coach during his career and Locky has learned a lot from Wayne but I don’t think their relationship will change his career path.
"He’ll still continue on full-steam ahead at the Broncos, whether that’s with or without Wayne. Wayne’s departure won’t alter his decision-making process.
"Over the next six months we will develop a view beyond 2009 from a career-planning perspective for Darren.
"Locky has thoroughly enjoyed playing football under Wayne. But, whoever the club signs, Darren will embrace the new regime just as much."
Lockyer’s commitment is shared by Hunt, who is off contract at the end of next year.
Hunt’s agent David Riolo said Bennett’s impending exit would have no repercussions for the future at the Broncos of the Maroons custodian.
"Karmichael is a big fan of Wayne but he’s got another two years on his contract," Riolo said.
"He’s happy at the Broncos, he won’t be going anywhere."
While Lockyer is on deck at Brisbane for two more seasons, a career swan song in England remains a strong possibility.
Lockyer declined to comment on Bennett’s departure but said last September a stint in Super League was an increasing attraction following a trip to the UK to promote the World Cup.
"Thinking about it (finishing in the UK) now, it’s something that appeals to me – not only because of the football experience," Lockyer said.
"I’ve got two years at the Broncos, so until midway through that last season (2009), I don’t know where I’ll be at. Whether I want to continue playing is another one.
"I started playing first grade with the Broncos at 18, and most young people get to travel before they settle down.
"While I’ve been able to see a bit of the world with rugby league, I’ve never really been able to travel for a long period of time, so that’s the other appealing part of it."
Mimis said: "There’s always expressions of interests in Locky from Super League clubs. It’s about the timing for Darren.
"Darren showed an interest in the game when he was over there last year and the next step is determining when that might be, if at all.
"But he is definitely with the Broncos until the end of 2009 and that won’t change."
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
Source: Big names vow to stay at Red Hill
