Brisbane chief executive Paul White has revealed the NRL knocked back their request for a Darren Lockyer testimonial and believes a precedent has now been set in Friday night's tribute to Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith.
The careers of North Queensland co-captain Thurston and Melbourne skipper Smith will be celebrated at Friday's trial at Suncorp Stadium.
Thurston will retire at season's end - his 17th NRL campaign - while the evergreen Smith is yet to decide when he will walk away.
White supported the NRL-backed Smith-Thurston tribute but revealed the league weren't so forthcoming after their request for Lockyer to be honoured with a testimonial in 2011.
The Broncos CEO believed Brisbane's next batch of retiring greats should now be given the same treatment as Thurston and Smith.
Veteran forward and former Brisbane skipper Sam Thaiday will retire at season's end.
"We tried to gain approval for a testimonial for Locky when he retired so I am supportive of the concept, those players have given a lot to the game," White said at the opening of Brisbane's new Red Hill headquarters on Friday.
"But it has set a precedent.
"We will be a club who will have a lot of long term players (retiring) - I would like to think we can do that for our retiring players as well.
"I hope what is happening tonight is extended to other clubs and players in the future."
Asked if he was surprised that the NRL knocked back a Lockyer testimonial, White said: "That was seven years ago - time's have changed.
"I like the fact that the NRL has granted permission now.
"I wish they did it seven years ago, but I think it is a good concept."
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