JT warns of Cronk danger
JOHNATHAN Thurston has pledged to go down fighting to save the Cowboys from the wooden spoon as the champion playmaker braces for a showdown with former Maroons partner- in- crime Cooper Cronk. Thurston last week reprised his Dally M heroics to inspire a last- minute 20- 18 defeat of Newcastle, but the Cowboys maestro admits his 15thplaced side will be torn apart by Cronk if they start poorly.
“Our starts have been terrible all year and we need to fix that up against the Roosters,” said Thurston, who watched the Cowboys leak two tries in the opening seven minutes against the Knights.
“If we don’t start well, instead of being 18- 6 down ( at halftime against Newcastle last week), it will be 40- 6 with someone like Cooper in the Roosters team.
“We need to keep building some momentum. The Roosters, Broncos and Sharks ( the Cowboys’ next three opponents) are vying for top- four spots, so we need to show the resilience we showed in the second half last week.”
Currently just one win ahead of last- placed Parramatta, the Cowboys remain in danger of claiming the club’s first wooden spoon in 18 years.
Entering the final month of his glittering career, he is cherishing the small moments, like last week’s epic fightback to snatch victory.
“I’m not worrying about where we finish now,” Thurston said. “I’m just enjoying and savouring every game I have left. There are five games left and none will be disappointing for me.’’