JT RELIVES GRAND FINAL HEROICS TO FINISH JOB
NOT everything went to script but Johnathan Thurston still enjoyed star billing to inspire North Queensland’s 16-14 win over Melbourne in their blockbuster NRL trial at Suncorp Stadium.
After a first half try, Thurston stepped up again in his testimonial with good mate Cameron Smith to set up winger Kyle Feldt’s match-winning four pointer with just 18 seconds left to light up the miserable conditions.
The stage was set for a night to remember with the NRL 2017 grand final rematch doubling as a testimonial celebrating the careers of the Cowboys playmaker and Smith.
But the early signs indicated it may be one to forget with the match kicking off in torrential rain and the Cowboys (Lachlan Coote, Kane Linnett) and Melbourne (Jahrome Hughes) suffering injuries.
And at one stage Queensland skipper Smith was even cheekily booed by the drenched pro-Cowboys crowd on the Maroons’ hallowed turf as he lined up a sideline conversion, earning a laugh from the veteran.
However Thurston ensured the crowd went home with a smile after his touch of class near the stroke of full-time.
With the clock ticking down, Thurston delivered a sublime banana kick for towering winger Feldt to score and bag a hat-trick of tries, defying the greasy conditions.
“I got lucky there,” a modest Thurston said.
“But this is a special match (with Smith). We have known each other since we were 10.”