With the NRL Grand Final only days away, the question on many fans minds is “Can Johnathon Thurston complete his NRL destiny?”
This is not a new-age idea. He won’t align the stars or use some forgotten Aboriginal DreamWorld way to achieve his goal, no. Johnathon Thurston (JT) is a the playmaker of his generation and a Legend in Queensland Rugby league. He has already achieved glory in helping his beloved ‘Reds’ win the famous State of Origin series an in-numeral times, but he has not taken his beloved Cowboys to that special place.
No, we grapple with this question because in the NRL [National Rugby League] of Australia, this question hangs over all major stars of the game. It is an elitist question obviously, not every player needs to be judged by Premierships alone –see Stacey Jones. But in a gladiatorial sport that prides itself on being the ‘biggest and the best’ in the world; in comparison with the European Super League, winning the Grand Final at this end of year finale has meant Super Stardom for many – and JT is worthy of those accolades.
He has won a Premiership before, in his early career with the Bulldogs. In 2004, Thurston came off the bench to compete in a final as a replacement for injured skipper Steve Price. For him professionally, that victory was a step towards his future leading role in the league spotlight as he made the move to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005 where he has been key playmaker, figure head and respected member of the Northern Queensland community.
The ever-smiling impresario is of Indigenous Australian and New Zealand Māori descent, Thurston was born in Brisbane and began playing rugby league at a very young age. He excelled at this sport and it was soon apparent that he had the skills, in many ways similar to his idol Alfie Langer. The spirited halfback was visionary and did many things that others could only dream of. All the while, he had a beaming smile on his face.
From those early days to this weekend, JT has had a career that has many, many highs – Queensland representation as well as playing for the ‘Kangaroos’ national rugby league side. World Championships followed with that side, and numerous awards over his career that include:
Dally M Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2014, 2015
Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015
Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014
Provan-Summons Medal: 2014, 2015
North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year: 2005, 2012, 2014
Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin player of the series): 2008
Preston Campbell Medal (Man of the Match in the 2010 NRL All Stars Game): 2010
RLIF International Back of the Year: 2007
RLIF Halfback of the Year: 2009, 2011
State of Origin Man of the Match: 5 Awards and State of Origin all-time highest point scorer
Golden Boot Award: 2011, 2013
The 2013 Rugby League World Cup player of the tournament with 4 Man of the Match Awards in the 4 games he played
RLPA Player of the Year 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Named at half-back in the Indigenous Team of the Century.
To hold aloft the the Provan-Summons trophy would be the Jewel in his Crown. But don’t ask the man himself. Ever effacing, he would laugh it off in that laconic style. “Yeah, nah” would be the first comment, but JT can be quite eloquent in the assessment of his award winning 2015 season.
“The game [NRL] is littered with great names. The hall of fame is a full of Legends but I’d just be happy to play well this weekend.” Thurston demonstrates he is still grateful to the game that has given him this opportunity to express himself and he will be concentrating on the game first and foremost. Family is also key to his game, which is why he paid tribute to wife and family when receiving this years Dally M medal.
“Samantha, thank you for everything you do for me, I can’t thank you enough, you’re my rock” he told Channel Nine. The importance of his family and ethnicity is paramount to JT, who is always working outside of the game to encourage participation.
While that is commendable, he should also think of his health too. The applauded player has several nagging injuries and had scans this week to ensure he could play (hopefully, not in pain) but credit to the player who always puts the team first and is recognisable for his headwear and a coolness under pressure on most occasions.
Opposing the Brisbane Broncos, who hold the best defensive record in the competition, will be his full focus before Sunday’s Grand Final, the second time Thurston will appear in the end of year celebration of Rugby League. Importantly, he has been one of the form players and will lead this side to reach the first ever all Queensland final.
He will want to appease the times he has been on the losing side, in play-off matches, knock-out games and series winning best-of-three clashes [Statoe of Origin] In the losing 2005 Grand Final in his first season at the Townsville team, he was inconsolable in losing but to his credit he has picked himself up many times since then and will again put his all into this climactic match in a great personal season.
100% committed to his sport, all smiles and often relaxed pre-game, the laughter we see on his face disappears as soon as that whistle blows – it will be ‘game on’ this Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.
For some, he is already a Champion. His record in Queensland and All-Star rugby league is beyond question, but then again, I ask the question “Can Johnathon Thurston complete his NRL destiny?” The answer is Yes. His side are more confident than ever, and will have some Sydney-side support, as the defacto opposition in the ongoing Brisbane-Sydney state battle.
Last Word on Sports think he has already made a step up onto the same levels as Wally Lewis and Brad Fittler. This second Premiership will cement that footing, especially in the Cowboys fans eyes. He can look them all in the face and say “ha ha ha, you beauty.”
