PASSING THE BATON
THE night was all about Johnathan Thurston but the future is all about two Titans stars.
The Cowboys great (pictured with daughter Lillie) bowed out with victory at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night but hailed Ash Taylor (inset top) and Ryan James (bottom) as the men to carry the can for indigenous players from now on.
GUY Brennan has a prized piece of memorabilia but it’s the words of encouragement that shape as the biggest prize from future immortal Johnathan Thurston.
Brennan, the son of Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan, received Thurston’s headgear at halftime of the Cowboys legend’s final NRL match.
It was the final game-time gift to a fan, with wife Samantha receiving his headgear after full-time.
“It was really cool and I found it really inspiring,” Brennan said.
“I hoped it would happen.” It leaves 12-year-old Brennan with an impressive Thurston collection after receiving the star’s Origin boots in 2016.
“I’ll probably put it in my bedroom and make it a collection or something,” Brennan said.
Brennan has grown up around footy, given his father’s role with NRL clubs including Newcastle, Penrith and now the Gold Coast.
And while he knows plenty of NRL stars, Thurston remains his hero.
The youngster is set to turn out for South Tweed in his under-13 grand final this week, where, like his hero, he will be the smallest and skinniest player on the field.
But he will be armed with advice from JT when he takes the field.
“He said: ‘Never give up and keep playing and keep believing’,” Brennan said.