FAREWELL TOUR WEARING THIN
JOHNATHAN Thurston admits he’s growing tired of an NRL farewell tour that still has three games remaining.
Saturday’s clash with Cronulla will mark the North Queensland playmaker’s final game in Sydney with his Cowboys last on the ladder.
Next week will be his Townsville swansong before he officially signs off on the Gold Coast in what could be a battle for the wooden spoon against the Titans.
While the idea of having the last laugh over long-time foe and Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen appeals, 35-year-old Thurston said his retirement sideshow has started to drag.
“It’s a little bit tiring. I’m sure you guys (the media) are all getting sick of talking about it too,” Thurston, who made his NRL debut in 2002, said yesterday.
“There’s few games to go. Hopefully we cause a couple of upsets ... it’s been a lot more enjoyable when you’re on the right side of the scoreboard.”
“It’d be nice to get one more over the Sharkies but I know it’s not going to be easy.”
Long-time teammate Gavin Cooper likened Thurston’s farewell to NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s final season at the Los Angeles Lakers two years ago.
“We’re getting farewell movies everywhere we go,” Cooper said with a laugh. “It’s probably a fitting end in Sydney, finishing at Shark Park for Johno, given our history.”
That history includes a round-one encounter this year when Cooper accused the Sharks of employing dirty tactics. And the two teams have knocked each other out of four of the past five finals campaigns.