Thurston a prime target

COWBOYS champion Johnathan Thurston admits he has a “target on my head” and is bracing for a Blues barrage in his return to the Queensland side for Origin II.

The Maroons team for Origin II is named today and Thurston will be recalled for his 37th game for the Maroons after his shoulder survived a torrid examination against Parramatta on Saturday night.

Eels defenders targeted Thurston from the outset at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, with former NSW Origin adversary Beau Scott attempting to unsettle the Maroons ace in the Cowboys’ 32-6 victory.

Thurston overcame the defensive onslaught, scoring a second-half try and setting up three others to erase any doubt over his fitness for Origin II.

“I’ve always got a target on my head. That’s not going to change,” he said.