JT’S FINAL TRIBUTE GOES TO MUM
JOHNATHAN Thurston has solved the mystery surrounding a key piece of memorabilia from the final match of his NRL career.
Thurston played the final game of a glittering career against the Titans on the Gold Coast earlier this month, with all eyes trained on his signature headgear after the match.
The Cowboys half has become famous for giving away two sets of headgear at each of his matches, with Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan’s son Guy gifted one at halftime by the champion.
But the headgear worn in the final minutes of his career was handed to his wife Samantha at full-time before making its way to its final recipient.
“I gave that to my mother,” Thurston said. “She’s got my debut for Queensland and my debut for Australia and now my last one.”
Thurston said the support of his parents — especially in the early days of his journey when few in the game backed his dream to become an NRL player — had been vital.
“She and my dad have played a massive role in who I am and the achievements that I’ve been able to make,” he said.
“They’ve been there every step of the journey whether it’s been good or bad.”
Thurston will speak at The Star Gold Coast on November 10 as part of a nationwide tour following his retirement. A frequent visitor to the Gold Coast throughout his career, Thurston has spoken at The Star previously and enjoyed seeing young players head to the event with their parents.
“That’s what you want as a parent, you want to do whatever you can for your children to achieve their dreams and my mum and dad were no different,” he said.
“I was aware of the sacrifices they’d made at the time for me to achieve these dreams and as I’ve gotten older, I’m well aware of them now and I’m extremely grateful for what they did to make sure I had everything — along with my brothers — to have whatever we needed.”
Now he’s paying it forward. Thurston signed headgear for a fundraiser organised by former Titan Nathan Friend for the family of Nathan Vogel, who died earlier this year, helping raise $1500 for his wife and three sons.
“I’m in a privileged position where I understand my role in the community and the difference I can make … and I’m able to give back.”
YOU WANT TO DO WHATEVER YOU CAN FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS
JOHNATHAN THURSTON