JT and Alf two of a kind, says Bennett
WAYNE Bennett has declared Johnathan Thurston as influential as Brisbane legend Allan Langer as the Cowboys champion prepares to haunt the Broncos one last time in tonight’s Queensland derby.
Bennett has not forgotten the devastation of the 2015 NRL grand final, when Thurston snapped the extra-time field goal, which broke Brisbane’s hearts and snatched the Cowboys’ maiden premiership.
Now the Broncos are bracing for one more magic act from the retiring Thurston, who will attempt to derail Brisbane’s finals hopes in his 31st and final derby tonight at 1300 SMILES Stadium.
Three years after their epic affair in the 2015 decider, the Cowboys have crashed to equal last, but Thurston is vowing to go down swinging in the final month of his career.
Bennett watched Langer, Brisbane’s greatest halfback, repeatedly haul the Broncos out of trouble in games and the master coach yesterday lauded Thurston as inspirational as Maroons icon “Alf’’.
Asked if Thurston was in the same league as Langer, Bennett said: “Absolutely. Thurston is like Alf in that way.
“He is top-shelf in the way he inspires his teammates.
“Thurston and Alf are different players, they have different styles, but they are both wonderful players and they love the big moments. Alf got us out of trouble so many times and JT is the same.”
Thurston has won 14 of 30 derbies against the Broncos since 2005, but tellingly, he has triumphed in seven of their last 11 meetings.
“Knowing JT, he will probably do it one last time against us,” Bennett said.
“He will play against the Broncos the way he has always played – the best he can.”