Martin revels in JT’s genius
IT had Johnathan Thurston’s fingerprints written all over it.
Midway through the first half of last week’s clash with the Roosters, Cowboys fiveeighth Te Maire Martin threw a Thurston- like dummy and scythed his way through the defence to score.
The line back- rower Gavin Cooper ran was crucial, engaging the inside defender to give Martin the space he needed.
It was the brainchild of Thurston. While his troublesome shoulder won’t let him play, it’s Cowboys halves Martin and Michael Morgan benefiting from his knowledge.
Martin revealed earlier this year he gets halftime tips from arguably the game’s best- ever player, having shifted from Penrith mid- season.
He used an almost identical play to pull off two line breaks against the Tigers in round 25, scoring a try in the process.
“Johnno came up with that play,” Martin said of his preliminary final try against the Roosters.
“He’s been coming up with plays for the whole team, like what kind of different shapes, and he’s throwing ideas in with Greeny ( coach Paul Green) when they have their meetings.”
The sight of Thurston gesticulating excitedly in the coach’s box during the finals series has been commonplace.
“He might have another career after footy,” Morgan joked.
“He loves the club and he wants to see us do well, and the same with Matt Scott. They’ve just been great supporters of the team all year and they’ve helped out where they can. Whether it be a small part to play or a big part.
“They’re always up in the coach’s box and you see they get pretty emotional at times, and it’s good to see.
“It motivates us to want to do well because it means a lot to a lot of people.
“He ( Thurston) bounces ideas off me and asks me what I think about certain plays or certain structures.
“He’s helped me improve my own game and get better with the way I play and not try and play how he does or anything like that.
“It’s about improving my game and the player that I am.”
Cowboys prop Scott Bolton said Morgan had adopted Thurston’s mentality of leaving no stone unturned in preparation.
“It’s a lot of hard work and extra time on the field,” Bolton said.
“Johnno was always the last player to leave the training field and Morgo’s taken over that role where you see him, last one there every session, practising his kicks.”