Darren Lockyer: Morris twins prove age is no excuse for Darius Boyd
After watching Josh and Brett Morris defy Father Time yet again, Darren Lockyer has a dire warning for Darius Boyd if he wants to enjoy the final months of his career.
Opinion
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The performance of the Morris twins, Brett and Josh, for the Roosters in their epic against the Storm should be a timely reminder for what Darius Boyd can achieve in his swan song NRL season.
After five consecutive losses, the Broncos are crying out for some proactive performance and it has to be driven by the likes of Boyd, Alex Glenn and Anthony Milford against the Warriors tonight in Gosford.
If Boyd can take inspiration from anyone, it should be the Morris siblings, who showed they continue to sidestep Father Time with their magical displays in the Roosters‘ extra-time loss to the Storm on Thursday night.
Anyone who believes Boyd is too old to still compete in the NRL should watch the contribution the Morris boys are making to the Roosters not only on the scoreboard, but to their premiership culture.
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The Morris twins were born in 1986. At age 33, they are still dominant forces in the NRL. They were born a year before Boyd, who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Friday week, and two years before Broncos skipper Glenn, who turns 32 on the last day of July.
Brisbane have been criticised for signing Ben Te‘o and Issac Luke as 33-year-olds but at the same age, no-one would suggest the Morris brothers are spent forces.
The differential always lies in attitude, body language and the desire to succeed at the highest level.
I spoke to Brett Morris after the game on Thursday night and, after a few seasons battling injuries, he said it was refreshing to come to training and enjoy the game again with Josh, who arrived at Bondi from Cronulla in March.
Morris‘ comments shine a compelling light on the current comparisons of the Roosters and Brisbane’s senior players, led by their most successful player Boyd, and the lessons they can heed to snap a five-game losing streak tonight.
Darius will officially retire at season‘s end. That means he has no more than 17 games left, if Brisbane went all the way to the grand final, before the curtain comes down on a magnificent 14-year NRL career.
Boyd has been copping some savage brickbats but there‘s no reason he can’t finish up at the Broncos on a positive note. He will want to know when he reaches his last game, he walks off the field one last time with no regrets.
Drawing on my experience, I loved my last year in the game in 2011. I remember arriving at venues thinking, ‘This will be the last time I play here’, so I just wanted to make every game count.
If Boyd wants to enjoy the final months of his career, applying the effort to get the performances you need to win are crucial to getting satisfaction in your football.
There‘s no question confidence is an issue at Red Hill but Broncos players collectively have to stop waiting for success to happen, they have to make it happen.
As a team, when you are waiting for the tide to turn, you can‘t just think training hard will do it, you have to be proactive in your on-field effort and make results happen.
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The Storm showed on Thursday night the importance of making their own luck and playing until the 80th minute.
That incredible win over the Roosters was the ultimate testament to their culture and character as a club. That is a reflection of leadership, desire and the mentality of performance that Storm coach Craig Bellamy has driven for two decades.
Right now, while the Broncos are looking for that breakthrough win to build confidence, you need grit, not glamour plays.
The Broncos have to want to win and the senior players are crucial to driving that mindset. If Darius and Alex Glenn lead the way tonight, I guarantee the young blokes like Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan will come with them.
Originally published as Darren Lockyer: Morris twins prove age is no excuse for Darius Boyd