JT fired up for another title shot

COWBOYS champion Johnathan Thurston is considering extending his career until 2019, revealing the pain of missing last year’s grand final pushed him to breaking point.

The Maroons maestro says he isn’t satisfied with his 2015 premiership heroics and wants to deliver another title to North Queensland in his twilight years.

The 33-year-old is in preliminary talks with the Cowboys on a fresh 12-month extension and is widely expected to retire at the end of next season.

But the Maroons ace has not ruled out playing on in 2019, saying he is determined to help mentor the club’s emerging stars if co-captain Matt Scott is lost to the club.

Thurston will run out against Canberra in the season opener tomorrow week motivated by the Cowboys’ semi-final loss to Cronulla last season.

The Sharks went on to claim the NRL crown and Thurston admits Cronulla’s grand-final triumph was so painful he nearly cried in his backyard.

“To be honest, I couldn’t watch the grand final,” he said. “I tried to watch it. It was just the way we lost against the Sharks, it still burns me.

“I started watching it, they kicked off and it just hit me like a ton of bricks.

“We had a few friends at home. I went and sat outside.

“I was close to crying. I had some good mates playing in that game, but I just couldn’t watch it.

“I couldn’t put my finger on why I was so emotional, but when I look back, it was the way we played against the Sharks — it wasn’t us.

“It’s definitely motivation for me. The fire still burns, 100 per cent.

“I want another ring, it drives me. I know it’s a long season and things don’t always go your way, you are under pressure and it’s a rollercoaster, but I’m here to win another premiership.”

A veteran of 292 NRL games, Thurston intends to retire next season, but a confluence of forces could see him soldier on beyond his 35th birthday in 2019.

Thurston will retire from representative football after this year’s World Cup and believes a singular focus on the Cowboys could buy his body another year in the NRL.

“I haven’t spoken to Greeny about this, but there’s a chance I could go on,” he said.

“At this stage, 2018 could be the end, but when I don’t play Origin footy (next year), depending how the body is, there is a possibility I will go around again in 2019.”