Retiring Thurston after more glory

CHAMPION halfback Johnathan Thurston believes the current Cowboys squad is one of the strongest in the club’s history, but he knows that won’t guarantee him a farewell premiership.

Thurston will retire at season’s end and would love nothing more to lead the Cowboys to a second NRL title after watching from the sidelines as his team mates fell short in this year’s grand final.

The Cowboys have kept that side intact for 2018 while Thurston (shoulder) and cocaptain Matt Scott (knee) are set to make their triumphant returns from long-term injuries.

The club has also added premiership-winning Storm prop Jordan McLean to their roster, but Thurston wasn’t letting himself get distracted by how good his side looks.

The 34-year-old was denied a fairytale finish to his representative career last season after hurting his shoulder and he stressed that it will take plenty of hard work to bow out with a grand final win.

“That’s the plan, but I’m not naive to think that all dreams come true,” Thurston said.

“There’s a lot of hard work that lies ahead with the group.”