JT’S AWESOME FOUR-SOME
Thurston makes history with fourth Dally M
THIS was history.
Not only did North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston last night become the first player ever to win four Dally M Medals, he did it in record fashion.
At a glittering event inside The Star, Thurston polled 32 points to win by 11 votes from St George Illawarra’s Benji Marshall, Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods and Cronulla’s Michael Ennis, all on 21 points.
Thurston appeared via video hook-up last night after the champion halfback remained in Townsville for medical treatment on an injured calf ahead of Sunday night’s all-Queensland NRL grand final against Brisbane at ANZ Stadium.
His fourth accolade surpasses Immortal Andrew Johns’ three awards, having previously picked up rugby league’s highest individual honour in 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Thurston’s 11-point victory was the biggest winning margin under the current Dally M scoring system. Victory adds yet another chapter to the career of a player surely destined to become an Immortal.
Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt finished fifth on 18 points, ahead of departing Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney and Melbourne skipper Cam Smith, one point further back.
Thurston and then-Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne polled 32 points in their joint win last year. Thurston also polled 32 points when he first won the award back in 2005, the year he edged out Johns.
In a touch of symmetry, Thurston also guided North Queensland to a grand final 10 years ago.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Thurston’s win last night before a 650-strong audience full of current and former players, officials and celebrities, including Troy Cassar-Daley and John Williamson.
Thurston actually polled a maximum three points – equal to man of the match honours – eight games this season. He led the field narrowly when voting went behind closed doors after round 16.
North Queensland coach Paul Green praised Thurston’s contribution to the club — and rugby league. “He is a great ambassador for the club,” Green said. “’JT’ has plenty of time for everyone and he helps as many people as he can.
Given his extraordinary points tally, Johnathan Thurston was duly named Dally M halfback of the year from Hunt, Sydney Roosters No.7 Mitchell Pearce and Melbourne’s Cooper Cronk.
Thurston was also awarded Dally M captain of the year alongside Cowboys co-skipper Matt Scott.
Thurston collected one more gong too when he received the coveted Provan Summons Award for the fanvoted favourite player. He beat Brisbane’s Corey Parker, departing Roosters star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Canberra’s Blake Austin.
Fellow Queenslander Corey Parker collected representative player of the year.
Thurston’s teammate Jason Taumalolo was named lock of the year ahead of Parker, Greg Eastwood (Canterbury) and Paul Gallen (Cronulla).
“Some little men in our game are incredibly tough; they play 80 minutes each week against bigger players. Guys like ‘Johnno’ are always going deep into the line when attacking, they are a target for teams all the time,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said.