Lockyer is Sam's best medicine
NO ONE was more excited by Queensland's 21-20 win over New South Wales on Wednesday than Banksia Beach's Samantha McCurley.
The 16-year-old recently lost her sight as a result of a 10-year battle with brain tumours, but is still clinging tight to life thanks to the Queensland side, the Broncos and especially former captain Darren Lockyer.
She met Locky through Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2003 and they have since become the closest of friends, talking several times a week.
"I love him, but not in that yucky way," she said.
"He's like my big brother."
Sam grew up sitting on her Dad, Peter's, lap watching the Broncos play week in week out, and quickly became the biggest fan in the family.
Peter said he and his wife Karen owed everything to Darren and the rest of the Queensland and Brisbane teams, as well as people like Steve Walters, Andrew Slack and Wally Lewis.
"We can't repay them mate because if it wasn't for those sorts of people she wouldn't have the will to live," he said.
"Darren's her number one though. Medicine's got nothing on him.
"For the time he's here and for about half an hour afterwards you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her.
"He's an inspiration to her," Peter said.
But the inspiration goes both ways.
Lockyer devoted an entire chapter of his autobiography to Sam and a letter she sent in to the Maroons camp was read aloud before their stirring victory in Origin One last year.
The same thing happened before Wednesday's game and certainly seemed to do the trick.
Peter said it had been hard taking care of Sam through these tough times but having the support of so many of the Queensland Rugby League community helped immensely. Besides, that's what parents do.
"If your kids get sick you look after them," he said.
"We're blessed to have had her for 16 years.
"The pain she goes through and doesn't complain, she's my hero."
Despite all that pain, Sam is still one of the most selfless people you could meet.
She made a special point to pay her respects to Origin player Matt Scott at training after his mother passed away from cancer.
"I gave him two hugs and he started crying," she said.
"I don't worry about me, I worry about other people."
Sam is also fiercely protective of her "big brother" Locky, so anyone who criticises him can expect her to give them a piece of her mind.
