JT’s boots and all approach to final
JOHNATHAN Thurston will pack his boots for the grand final but there will be no Matt Scott-style return for the Cowboys’ four-time Dally M champion.
Thurston has played a key role in North Queensland’s stunning run to qualify for Sunday’s NRL grand final against Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium.
The Cowboys co-captain has been sidelined since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Queensland’s epic Origin II victory on June 21. While Thurston is advanced in his recovery – nearing full range of movement in his shoulder and being able to pass the ball – he is not ready for the brutality of an NRL grand final.
Thurston, 34, has played in three NRL grand finals, winning the 2004 title with the Bulldogs, losing the 2005 decider with North Queensland and kicking the premiershipwinning field goal in 2015.
While stranded on 299 NRL games, Thurston has been another assistant coach for Paul Green over the past three months.
He has regularly travelled to Cowboys away games and watched closely over training sessions, tutoring halves Michael Morgan and Te Maire
Martin. His famous boots with the colours of the Aboriginal flag will be in his luggage when the Cowboys depart Townsville on Wednesday but Thurston is at peace with being unable to play the game.
“I’ll pack my boots,” Thurston said.
“I’m not the only one to have had to sit out a grand final. That’s what happens in footy. Smithy (Storm captain Cameron Smith) missed one through suspension (in 2008) and there are other players who have missed grand finals.
“I’m making sure I’m putting my energy into the right areas and making sure the boys prepare well. It’ll be like what I’ve done while I’ve been sitting on the sidelines.
“I’ll be trying to get in there with a spring in my step. Talk to the boys a lot, go to meetings and making sure that I still have a voice there.”
Thurston and Scott were in the coaches box at Allianz Stadium last Saturday night as the Cowboys beat the Roosters in the grand final qualifier.
Scott is in line to make a fairytale return from a knee reconstruction in the decider and Green said the co-captains’ influence had been critical to North Queensland’s charge.
“They are our club leaders and co-captains,” he told ABC Grandstand.
“They’ve got a role to play even though they’re not on the field in terms of leadership.
“Having them around the group is a good thing. It gives everyone a calming influence.
“They’ve been through big games and know what to say and who to say it to.”