JT will handle hype
Great Tallis has faith in Cowboys champ
LEAGUE legend Gorden Tallis has backed Johnathan Thurston to absorb the pressure of his final season and shield his teammates from the hype after his successful comeback for the Cowboys on Saturday night.
The champion halfback played his first minutes since he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Origin II last year in the 30-16 trial loss to Wests Tigers in Cairns.
Despite admitting to initial nerves, he came through unscathed in the first competitive hitout of his swan song season with the Cowboys.
Like Darren Lockyer’s farewell year for Brisbane in 2011, the 34-year-old’s every move will be magnified as he bids farewell to the game, starting with his testimonial game in Brisbane on Friday.
But Tallis said he would take the limelight on his shoulders and reassure his teammates to treat 2018 like any other season.
“It’s something they’ll have to address,” Tallis said.
“You can’t play forever, there’s players who come and go and it’s up to Johnathan to put it to bed with them.
“(He needs to) say to them: ‘This is my last year, I’m going to deal with it.’
“There’s no pressure on any of his teammates, the pressure’s on Johnathan and it’s fair to say he can handle it.
“I don’t think just because it’s his last that he’s going to be more determined than ever – that’s what he’s like every year.”
Thurston admitted to being rusty in playing the first half in Cairns but should get more game time at Brisbane on Friday when his and good friend Cameron Smith’s fine careers are celebrated.
The Cowboys are expected to field a near full-strength line-up for their final preseason hitout before Thurston’s 300th game against Cronulla at Townsville in round one.
* NRL icons Gorden Tallis, Justin Hodges, Braith Anasta, Michael Ennis, Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh, along with League Life hosts Lara Pitt, Jess Yates and Hannah Hollis, will visit Queensland and NSW fans as part of the Full-On Footy Tour’s national roadshow. The Cairns leg will take place at The Jack on Wednesday, February 28. For information on the tour and to register to attend a Sportsman’s Night, visit fox sports.com.au/fullonfootytour.
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