Low-key Locky's final farewell

"ONE door closes and another one opens." With that statement, Darren Lockyer yesterday started the rest of his life.

Brisbane Broncos captain Darren Lockyer aboard a helicopter

"ONE door closes and another one opens." With that statement, Darren Lockyer yesterday started the rest of his life.

At 34 years and 185 days, Lockyer's decorated 17-season career at the Broncos is officially over.

As he sat in a plastic bucket seat at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night, his Broncos hoodie shielding his shaven head from the crisp night air, Lockyer looked at the scoreboard, looked to his beaten teammates, looked within, and found an inner peace.

After a life devoted to rugby league, Darren James Lockyer is ready for a new life without the Steeden.

A noted early riser, he awoke around 6.30am yesterday content to face Ground Zero. Five hours earlier, at around 1.15am, he was bouncing around at the Broncos post-match function, showing a comical side you rarely see.

Typically, and predictably with Lockyer, there were no tears. No fanfare. No morbid goodbye speeches.

When he boarded a chopper yesterday morning for his low-altitude return to Brisbane, the Broncos skipper reflected on his remarkable 355-game NRL career with perspective and pride.

Finally, he is ready to let go.

"I'm content with everything," he told The Sunday Mail.

"I was sitting in the chopper and it gave me some time to think about things and what I've achieved."

Surely he must be gutted? That it could end like this, with Lockyer sitting helpless at the SFS, his premiership farewell dream as shattered as his left cheekbone?

"No, I was preparing for it," he says. "Look, I knew the end was going to come sooner rather than later.

"When I went to the game (on Friday night), it was one of two options. Either we were going to win and we start preparing for a GF (grand final), or we lose and it's all over. I was prepared for both scenarios."

Before the preliminary final, Lockyer received a text message from Wayne Bennett, the super coach who has exerted the most influence over his glittering career. Later, as he walked up the SFS tunnel one last time, Lockyer was flooded by well-wishers.

He says he will never forget his final game in a Broncos jumper eight days ago, when he snapped the extra-time field goal that killed off Bennett's Dragons before he was chaired off Suncorp Stadium.

"I got about 60 texts," he said.

"Wayne actually sent me one through the week, he said he thought I'd made the right decision in regards to the injury.

"Despite the loss, I still feel very satisfied and fortunate with the year the Broncos had. The last time I wore my Broncos jersey was such a memorable game for me, really, one of the highlights of my career.

"You'd love to stay young and just keep playing but you have to accept in life that things can't go on forever. I'm fortunate I've had a great career and I can move on to the next chapter. thankful for the last 17 years I've had."

The million-dollar question is - what now? For a start, Lockyer will take up a role with the NRL as an ambassador for international football. On Australia Day, wife Loren is due to give birth to the couple's second child.

In between, Lockyer will lead Australia's Four Nations campaign. One final tour of duty. Most likely, knowing his luck, one last fairytale.

"Had we won the premiership this year, it would have been ridiculous luck for me," he said. "It wasn't to be, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I've had a great time this year. It's been good fun and I've enjoyed the whole ride, it's been incredible.

"I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life. That's what makes it easier for me to accept it's all over. I'll enjoy being with my family ... it will be nice to wake up at 5.30am and not have to go to pre-season training."