Rugby league Immortality awaits him, but it took a shanked kick at goal in the Four Nations final to prove that the maroon master, Darren Lockyer, is human after all.

After a season of pressure and scrutiny that would have crushed lesser men, Lockyer signed off on his fantastic career by leading the Kangaroos to victory at Elland Road in Leeds.

As usual, Locky was all class, using his guile and experience to lead Australia to victory against an English team riding on a surge of confidence thanks to some new high-profile recruits and greater exposure to the NRL system.

But just when things were looking tight, with the Poms closing the gap and a roaring capacity crowd behind them, Lockyer once again led the way with a masterful display to inspire the Kangaroos to victory.

After the Aussies scored a try in the final minute, Lockyer was handed the ball to pot an easy conversion – but inexplicably skewed it off the side of his boot, missing from right in front of the posts.

Regardless, the match was the culmination of a wonderful career, capped by an unforgettable season that saw him lead Queensland to an unthinkable sixth-straight series win over the Blues.

His NRL season with the Broncos did not end so gloriously, coming to a premature end when an accidental collision broke his cheekbone and ruled him out of Brisbane’s final match against Manly.

But even the drama surrounding his injury became a tribute to him, as front pages and television headline reports reported every last little detail about the Queensland great’s race to be fit.

Right from the start of the season, 2011 became the Darren Lockyer show.

Every appearance at every venue became an event in itself because it would be “Lockyer’s last”.

His rousing and emotional farewell with Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in Origin III still, months after, makes the hairs on the neck stand on end.

Even in NSW, the heart of enemy territory, rugby league fans lined up for their chance to say thank you one final time to a very special player.

His final Test on home soil, in the unfamiliar surrounds of Newcastle’s Ausgrid Stadium, was a full-house as league fans took the chance to see him play one last time.

Another legendary Kangaroos and Maroons captain, current Queensland coach Mal Meninga said seeing Lockyer lift the Four Nations trophy in triumph while hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates was the perfect send-off.

“There is no doubt it is a memory that will stay with Darren for a very long time,” Mal said. “But I think most importantly for him is the fact that he, even in his very last game, was still the one Australia called on to get them over the line.

“I saw Darren quoted a number of times in the lead-up to the game that he did not want to retire with anything in the tank – he was worried about getting caught up in the emotion and leaving the game without giving his best on the field.

“Well, I think he has nothing to worry about. Once again he met the high standard he sets for himself in everything he does.

“This victory is a tribute to him. He is a wonderful player, and exemplary human being and a very valuable asset to the game of rugby league.”