Broncos rule out signing Thurston

Updated November 28, 2012 08:55:24

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin says his side is not interested in signing North Queensland playmaker Jonathan Thurston.

Thurston and his manager met with Broncos officials in October to discuss a possible move south from the Cowboys when his current contract expires after the 2013 season.

The Broncos have decided against pursuing a move for the Brisbane-born five-eighth however, with Griffin insisting he is happy with the halves he has at his disposal: Peter Wallace, Corey Norman and recent acquisition Scott Prince.

"We won't be signing him," Griffin told The Courier-Mail. "Our CEO Paul White feels the same way and I'm happy with our roster.

"The addition of Scott Prince has been a bonus, so we're moving forward with the personnel that we've got.

"JT is a wonderful player but we've never made him an offer and we haven't even got to that point.

"Andrew Gee had one meeting with his manager and JT on their request and nothing came of it.

"We meet with player managers all the time. Johnathan's manager asked us to a meeting - he said JT is coming off-contract - to see if there was any interest.

"We had a meeting and there was no interest after that."

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, brisbane-4000, qld

First posted November 28, 2012 08:54:14

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Thurston spotted back at Canterbury

Updated November 22, 2012 07:38:20

North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston has met with Canterbury officials amid speculation about his future when he comes off contract at the end of next season.

News Ltd reports Thurston has been shown around the Bulldogs' Centre of Excellence in Belmore.

Thurston began his career with Canterbury in 2002 and won a premiership in 2004 before moving to Townsville.

Sources close to the 29-year-old say he may be tempted to return to Sydney and possibly Canterbury.

However most believe he will re-sign with the Cowboys, who remain adamant he will be staying.

Earlier this week, Thurston was linked to Penrith, but the Panthers released a statement denying they were chasing the five-eighth.

News Ltd said Thurston arrived at the Bulldogs' Belmore facility about 8:00pm (AEDT) on Wednesday to avoid the media spotlight, with Canterbury coach Des Hasler and Thurston's manager Sam Ayoub attending the meeting.

"We are always in the market for marquee players," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg told News Ltd.

"Johnathan and his manager were in Sydney and, given he is a former Bulldogs player, we took the opportunity to meet with him and show him around the Bulldogs' new Centre of Excellence.

"We are disappointed this has made it into the media."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, canterbury-2193, nsw, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted November 22, 2012 07:38:20

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Thurston non-committal over Cowboys contract

Updated October 11, 2012 12:23:31

Johnathan Thurston has refused to give any assurances he will remain a North Queensland player beyond next season, with the champion playmaker poised to potentially become the game's highest-paid player.

A week after his Australia and Queensland team-mate Greg Inglis signed a new deal with South Sydney to become the NRL's first million dollar-a-season man, Thurston said he is yet to decide where his future lies.

The 29-year-old two-time Dally M Medallist is the biggest name off-contract at the end of the 2013 campaign, and with the new broadcast deal pumping $1 billion into the game, Thurston is in a strong position to name his price to potential suitors.

The Cowboys have no fewer than 20 players who have deals that expire at the end of next year, including representative props Matt Scott and James Tamou while Matt Bowen, Brent Tate, Dallas Johnson and prolific winger Ashley Graham will also be off contract.

This could significantly hamper their attempts to keep the former Canterbury playmaker, who joined the club in 2005, but Thurston, who will play for Australia against New Zealand on Saturday in Townsville, says he is more interested in taking a holiday than sitting down with the Cowboys' powerbrokers at the moment.

"It's still a long way away, my attention is all on this weekend," Thurston said.

"I like to deal with it differently to others. I have a holiday planned and I don't want to worry about it before then.

"I just want to relax, enjoy my holiday. I won't have time to sort it out before I go away. When I get back that's when I'll sit down and work out with my manager and we'll work out then what is best for my future."

The Kangaroos half-back has warned New Zealand could punish Australia if the hosts do not maintain their focus during this weekend's trans-Tasman Test in Townsville.

Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall will lead a potent New Zealand attack that includes Kieran Foran, Krisnan Inu, Isaac Luke and Frank Pritchard.

Thurston says the Kiwis will be keen to make amends for their eight-point loss to the Kangaroos in their last clash in April.

"They've got a point to prove. Their one-off tests haven't been great," he said.

"Certainly they've got a lot to play for and if we're not in the right frame of mind they're going to put 50 on us. They've got strikepower all over the park."

Saturday's international will see just one referee take control of the game but Thurston, who was seething at the officials following North Queensland's controversial finals loss to Manly last month, is happy for the NRL to stick with two whistleblowers.

However, he said more assistance is needed from the touch judges and less reliance on video referees.

"Having the two refs is a good option, but there are little issues in the game with the video ref and the benefit of the doubt," he said.

"That's what's playing on everybody's minds. Having two refs is great.

"But what are our touch judges doing? They have to have more influence than just putting their flags up.

"They need to be helping the refs. They wear mikes, why can't they tell the refs when a player is offside?

"At the moment it is like they are a fan just watching the game."

All of Tim Sheens' squad trained in searing heat on Wednesday morning, with the mercury nudging 33 degrees.

Ben Te'o, who is the 18th man, was fully involved, as was Tony Williams, who pulled up with a tight hamstring on Tuesday, but is expected to play on Saturday.

Thurston says he is looking forward to representing his country in front of his 'hometown' fans and says it will be a memorable night for the Cowboys players and their team-mates who grew up in North Queensland.

"I'm very excited. I've got family here for the game. Its always a pleasure to run in front of the North Queensland fans and this will be no different," he said.

"I'm wearing the green and gold jersey so I'm very proud of that."

Full-back Billy Slater also took part without a knee support for the first time this week.

"The knee is fine and I am very happy with where it is," Slater said.

ABC/AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 08:54:36

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Thurston claims Ken Stephen Medal

Updated September 25, 2012 12:10:01

Queensland State of Origin star Johnathan Thurston has won the 2012 Ken Stephen Medal.

Thurston was awarded the medal at the NRL's One Community Awards on Monday night for his efforts in encouraging indigenous Australian children to finish their schooling.

The Ken Stephen Medal, first awarded in 1988, recognises the contribution an NRL player has made to the community over the course of the year.

Tags: rugby-league, nrl, sport, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, community-and-society

First posted September 25, 2012 12:10:01

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Cowboys a better side this year: Thurston

Updated September 12, 2012 13:38:39

North Queensland captain Jonathan Thurston says this year's Cowboys side is a much stronger team than the one dumped out of last year's finals by Friday night's opponent Manly.

The Cowboys fell at the first hurdle in last year's finals thumped 42-8 by Manly in week one of the finals.

The Sea Eagles went on to win the premiership and Thurston said his side needs little reminding of last year's finals clash between the two sides.

"No doubt it still hurts a bit,'' Thurston said of last year's result.

"But I'd have to say we're in a much better position this year than we were last year. We've had five wins on the trot now so there is a lot of momentum behind us."

Thurston said his team is building towards something special but cannot afford to look past Frday night's semi-final against Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Sea Eagles were the last team to beat the Cowboys when the defending premiers won 8-6 in an arm wrestle in Townsville.

Thurston's opposite number Kieran Foran scored Manly's only try in that match and Thurston has a lot of respect for the Kiwi international and his young Sea Eagles half-back partner Daly Cherry-Evans.

"They are young, but still they are very experienced for what they have done in the game," Thurston said.

"Kieran has played for his country and so has Daly. They are both very experienced and they get a lot of momentum off the back of the pack they have in front of them."

But Thurston praised his team's own young half-back Michael Morgan who tasted finals football for the first time last week scoring three tries in the Cowboys' win over the Broncos.

"He's a very strong kid who likes to take the line on," Thurston said.

"He has experienced players around him who help him in defence. I find he is taking a bit of pressure off me and Mango (Matt Bowen) and he can do a bit of kicking as well."

The Cowboys are yet to make a final decision on the availability of hooker Aaron Payne who is carrying a hamstring injury.

Thurston said if Payne is out James Segeyaro will come in and offer the side plenty.

"He brings some quickness out of dummy half and for a small bloke he holds no fear," Thurston said.

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted September 12, 2012 13:36:21

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Thurston won't take Carney lightly

Updated June 05, 2012 22:57:27

Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston is preparing to face a more comfortable and confident Todd Carney when the two square off in State of Origin II on Wednesday week.

Carney made his New South Wales debut in the controversial Origin I loss on May 23 and coach Ricky Stuart rewarded him for his performance with a call-up for game two in Sydney next week.

Maroons pivot Thurston expects the Sharks playmaker and 2010 Dally M Medallist to be a handful now that he has found his Origin feet.

"His game wasn't to the best of his ability in game one and no doubt he'll be better for the run in game two," Thurston told Grandstand on Tuesday.

"He'll get a lot of confidence out of knowing he's in the team.

"He's got that ability to order the boys around and he'll be a lot more comfortable in his surroundings, so no doubt he'll be better for it.

"We certainly have to be better defensively."

Thurston promised to give as good as he gets though, anticipating an even more fluid partnership in the Queensland halves with Storm number seven Cooper Cronk.

"I'd love to play a lot more alongside him, so no doubt we'll get to do that over the next couple of years," he said.

"I think the more we got to play alongside each other the more that combination will get better."

Queensland coach Mal Meninga and the selection panel did not tinker with the line-up that won the first game of the series, but added in-form Brisbane lock Corey Parker and speedy Bulldogs full-back Ben Barba to the mix.

Thurston agreed with Meninga's stance that the Maroons had no reason to mess with success.

"Mal and the selectors have gone that way and even when we have lost game one in the past I don't think we've hit the panic buttons and had too many changes, if any," he said.

"It was great to get game one out of the way and get that win but we'll have to be a lot better than we were in game one to win game two."

Incumbent Queensland number 13 Ashley Harrison said he was not concerned about Parker dethroning him.

"Corey's here because he's been playing great for his side," he said.

"We're all back-rowers so we can all play in the back row which is three positions.

"[It's] great to see him back in the team and I'm looking forward to preparing with him this week."

Barba, who has been electric for Canterbury in recent weeks, said he was speechless about his call-up as what is effectively 19th man.

"I'm pretty stoked, words can't explain how I feel just to be part of this great side," he said.

"You can never be too sure but I thought if I kept playing some decent football I'd get recognised somehow.

"I guess this is one of them steps so I'm here to learn and see what goes on in an Origin camp and take it in and hopefully one day I'll get my real shot."

Tags: state-of-origin, rugby-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted June 05, 2012 22:57:27

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Thurston fit for Knights clash

Updated May 11, 2012 18:54:54

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston declared himself a certain starter as the Cowboys look to build some momentum ahead of what is sure to be a disruptive State of Origin campaign.

Thurston had been on a restricted training schedule throughout the week after being on the receiving end of a high tackle which cost St George Illawarra back rower Matt Prior a five-game ban.

But as he left Townsville Airport for Saturday night's clash against Newcastle, Thurston said he was in no doubt for the match.

"I did all the tests yesterday and got the all-clear so I'm ready to play," Thurston said.

The match against the Knights shapes as an important one for the fourth-placed Cowboys, who could be one of the worst affected teams during Origin.

As well as Thurston, co-captain Matt Scott is another Queensland certainty, while veteran centre Brent Tate could feature for the Maroons and Tariq Sims could also play a part for New South Wales.

"We're going to lose a few players due to Origin so it would be nice to string a couple of wins together before that period starts," Thurston said.

"We haven't really backed up a good effort this year."

Only once, when they beat Brisbane and last-placed Parramatta in rounds two and three, have the Cowboys registered back-to-back wins.

The Knights have fared even worse, alternating wins and losses throughout their campaign.

But Newcastle have a defence which is the fourth stingiest in the league, which may come in handy against a Cowboys side which has struggled when points have been at a premium.

In the five games the Cowboys have won in 2012, they averaged 34 points while in their four losses they have scored just 12 per game.

Knights skipper Chris Houston said while his side's effort in defence was admirable, they needed more in attack.

"We are defending well, but we're just doing too much of it," Houston said.

"People have been saying our attack isn't as good as it should be, but when you do that much defence, it's always going to take its toll on your attack."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, townsville-4810, qld

First posted May 11, 2012 18:49:46

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Headwear saved me: Thurston

Updated May 06, 2012 12:39:57

Jonathan Thurston believes his headwear saved him from a serious facial injury when he took an elbow to the jaw from Matt Prior on Friday night.

Thurston was taken from the field in the second half of the Cowboys' 30-6 victory over the Dragons and suffered headaches and blurred vision after the hit.

The North Queensland and Maroons number six expects to be cleared for next week's clash with Newcastle.

"Where he got me if I wasn't wearing the headgear I think I could have had a broken cheekbone or a broken jaw or something like that so I'm very glad I wear the headgear," Thurston told the Courier Mail.

"When I came too the trainers and boys were over the top of me. What I could remember is I could move my jaw, I could move my neck, I had feeling in my hands and feet so I knew there wasn't anything really serious.

"Obviously I just had a sore head at the time and a bit of blurred vision but apart from that I felt completely fine now."

Though bristling at Prior's suggestion that it was a misplaced shoulder charge, Thurston was prepared to accept it was an accident.

"A shoulder charge with the elbow, I don't think so," Thurston added.

"It's just a tackle that has gone completely wrong and I think the judiciary will look after it.

"He has hit me with his elbow, there is no denying where he got me in the head.

"I think the send off was legit.

"I don't think he is the type of player to have that kind of malice in his game."

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, townsville-4810

First posted May 06, 2012 12:33:20

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Prior to face judiciary for Thurston hit

Updated May 08, 2012 13:34:36

St George Illawarra's Matt Prior faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines after being charged with striking for his dangerous elbow to the head of the Cowboy's Johnathan Thurston.

The NRL match review committee has referred Prior straight to the judiciary after reviewing the incident from Friday night's match, which left Thurston prone on the ground.

An apologetic Prior has elected to plead guilty when he fronts the judiciary on Wednesday night.

Thurston came off the field and played no further part in the game. He suffered headaches and blurred vision after the hit, although he expects to be cleared for the Cowboys' game against the Knights in Newcastle on Saturday.

Prior apologised for his actions after the game.

"It wasn't a brain explosion, I was just trying to give him a bit of a shoulder charge, it was a bit careless and my elbow got him high and I regret it now," he said.

"I didn't mean to do it ... it was just careless and dumb and I wish I didn't do it. It was unintentional.''

Thurston said that he believed his headgear had saved him from a serious injury such as a broken cheekbone or a broken jaw.

Thurston, the Queensland Origin and Test five-eighth, also said he thought the sending-off was legitimate, for what he called a tackle that had gone completely wrong.

However he said that he did not think Prior was a malicious player.

If found guilty of the striking charge, Prior is likely to miss a substantial period of time.

From the same game Cowboys interchange hooker James Segeyaro will miss a week after receiving a grade two high tackle charge.

Parramatta's Reni Maitua and the Roosters' Jake Friend also received grade one high tackle charges, while Joel Edwards from the Knights was charged with a grade one dangerous throw.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, sydney-2000

First posted May 07, 2012 14:55:16

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Prior apologises for Thurston hit

Updated May 05, 2012 08:32:38

Matt Prior has apologised to Johnathan Thurston for the elbow that knocked the Cowboys star out of the Dragons 30-6 defeat on Friday night.

In a moment of worry for Queensland fans ahead of the State of Origin, Thurston was left dizzy by the blow to the jaw but afterwards Cowboys coach Neil Henry played down fears of the number six being ruled out.

"He is OK," Henry said. "He is talking and sending texts so his vision is fine."

Prior, who was sent off for the late hit, attempted to apologise to Thurston in person afterwards and was at pains to point out that the hit was not deliberate.

"It wasn't a brain explosion, I was just trying to give him a bit of a shoulder charge, it was a bit careless and my elbow got him high and I regret it now," Prior said.

"I didn't mean to do it and I hope he is OK," Prior said. "It was just careless and dumb and I wish I didn't do it. It was unintentional.

"It's not my go, I'm not that type of bloke. I try to stay away from hitting blokes around the head."

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, wollongong-2500, qld, townsville-4810

First posted May 05, 2012 08:31:05

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Prior gets five weeks for Thurston hit

Updated May 09, 2012 22:16:21

St George Illawarra forward Matt Prior admits his five-match suspension for striking North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston is "about right".

Meanwhile Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen escaped a ban after he was found not guilty for making dangerous contact with the knee on Dave Taylor in South Sydney's 34-28 win over the Sharks on Monday night.

Prior was sent off for the nasty elbow and forearm to Thurston's head in last Friday night's match at Dairy Farmers Stadium and became the first player referred straight to the NRL judiciary without a grading charge since Ben Ross in 2008.

NRL counsel Peter Kite on Wednesday night recommended to judiciary panel members Sean Garlick, Mal Cochrane and Bob Lindner that Prior be outed for five to seven matches to act as a deterrent to all levels of the game.

Prior's representative Bill Neild argued that a two or three-week ban was just and that the incident was simply coaching instructions gone wrong.

After hearing evidence, it took the panel just a few minutes to decide that Prior would receive 550 points and a five-match suspension, meaning he will not be back in the NRL until round 16.

Prior's clean record and early guilty plea helped bring the eventual penalty down.

Neild presented to judge Greg Woods that Prior was simply following the instructions of his coach Steve Price to get in the face of the Cowboys star all match.

Prior said it was not his intention to strike Thurston high in the 54th minute and it happened because the number six had slipped in the moments before collision.

"I think that's about right," Prior said of his penalty.

"It was unintentional but, in saying that, I still hit him high and I'm regretting it now.

"But I'm just glad he's alright and I'm looking forward to getting on with my life and getting on with my football."

Prior said he had been told by Price that it was his job to continually get off the line quickly, put pressure on Thurston and try and "bump" him when he went to the line to pass.

"My role was to put pressure on Thurston," Prior said.

To illustrate their point, Neild successfully requested the judiciary consider a tackle from Prior on Thurston from the first half, where legal chest-high contact was made on the Queensland star.

Prior said the second-half incident was reckless but not intentional.

"I was surprised to see him like that (unconscious) ... it was a split-second thing," he said.

Price himself testified and said of Thurston's slip: "Johnathan Thurston's head clearly drops five or six inches."

NRL counsel Kite argued Thurston "hadn't slipped that much", Prior's eyes were focused on Thurston and that Prior needed to accept responsibility for attempting such a high-risk tackle.

Judge Woods quoted super coach Jack Gibson in saying that following a coach's instruction should not be taken into account as a mitigating factor - because coaches will do whatever they can to defend their players.

"Coaches, as Jack Gibson once said, don't regard winning as life and death - it's more serious," said Woods.

In other judiciary news, Cowboys hooker James Segeyaro was unsuccessful in his bid to get a downgrade for a grade-two careless high tackle - meaning his one-match suspension remains.

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, wollongong-2500, nsw, australia

First posted May 09, 2012 19:28:54

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Thurston scare as Cowboys thrash Dragons

Updated May 04, 2012 23:25:45

The Cowboys enjoyed a rare Friday night home game and they made it count with a crushing 30-6 victory over the Dragons in Townsville.

But the win was soured by a late shot on Jonathan Thurston which resulted in Dragons forward Matt Prior being sent off in the 55th minute.

Thurston did not return after being flattened by the point of Prior's elbow but his absence made little difference with the Cowboys having already established a commanding first-half lead.

Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne told Grandstand his team's consistency was the most pleasing aspect of the win.

"We've been competing but we haven't been competing for 80 (minutes)," Payne said.

"It was a really good effort.

"(It) showed in defence and I think that's what won us the game."

The veteran hooker said North Queensland needs to excel on a more regular basis if it is to compete with the top sides.

"That's what the Melbourne Storms and the Broncos and those sort of top echelons of clubs are doing," Payne said.

"They're doing it consistently."

North Queensland five-eighth Thurston was in outstanding first-half form, laying on several of the Cowboys' best moves and denying Dragons interchange Jeremy Latimore a try with a desperate goal-line lunge.

But it was Ray Thompson who opened the scoring when he finished off a slick backline move in just the second minute of play.

There was plenty more razzle-dazzle on display as Thurston sent the prolific Matt Bowen in for his eighth try of the season soon after.

Bowen then turned provider, this time setting up a rampaging Kane Linnett as the Cowboys ran a punch-drunk Dragons defence ragged.

And the best was yet to come as a James Segeyaro cross-field kick was finished off by flying Cowboys winger Brent Tate, whose dive into the corner was rewarded with a benefit of the doubt decision by video referee Russell Smith.

Thurston summed up a committed first-half display from the Cowboys by knocking the ball loose from Latimore when the St George Illawarra front rower dived over the line.

Dragons back rower Ben Creagh gave credit to the Cowboys but said his side's poor first half performance was costly.

"I thought we played a lot better in the second half with 12 men than we did (with) 13 in the first.

"That's not a very good thing to have.

"We should have that scramble and intensity in the first half, so we've got a bit to work to do."

Any chance of a Dragons comeback was foiled when Prior became the first player this season to receive his marching orders for his high shot on Thurston with 25 minutes remaining.

Brett Morris and Tariq Sims traded tries late on but by then most of the concern from the parochial home crowd surrounded the state of their star playmaker, who at least made it back to the bench.

Cowboys: 30 (R Thompson, M Bowen, K Linnett, B Tate, T Sims tries; J Thurston 2/4 cons, M Bowen 1/1 con; J Thurston 2/2 pens, M Bowen 1/1 pen)

Dragons: 6 (B Morris try; J Soward 1/1 con)

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, townsville-4810, qld, wollongong-2500, australia

First posted May 04, 2012 21:46:15

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Thurston eyes move to pivot

Updated December 07, 2011 19:34:10

Indigenous All Stars skipper Johnathan Thurston wants Darren Lockyer's vacant representative number six jumper, with next year's season-opener the first step in what he hopes is a permanent move to five-eighth.

Thurston - last month crowned the best player in the game - is keen to walk away from the half-back position he has dominated the past few seasons.

He claims Lockyer's retirement following last month's victorious Four Nations triumph presents the perfect opportunity to make the shift - as he looks to fill Lockyer's boots for both Queensland and Australia.

And he does not want to stop there - saying he has already spoken to North Queensland coach Neil Henry about making the move for the Cowboys as well.

"I've made no secret that I want to play six - I'm very familiar with that role, I played it all through my juniors, I moved to the Bulldogs as a six, I made my debut there, the Cowboys recruited me as a six," Thurston said.

"Number seven, you're on the ball a lot more.

"Playing alongside Locky so much - he likes to sit out the back and get the ball when he's ready.

"That's what I'd like to do as well."

Thurston's first shot back at five-eighth will be alongside new Parramatta half-back Chris Sandow, who will be looking to make a big first impression on his representative debut.

Yet another Queenslander, the inclusion of Sandow highlights the depth the Maroons have in the halves - with Indigenous All Stars bench player Scott Prince and Test squad members Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans also amongst their ranks.

Cronk remains favoured to line up alongside Thurston for next year's State of Origin opener, but as Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley noted, the game will give Sandow a chance to stake his claim.

"That's the opportunity that this game provides - you look at Josh Dugan last year - he stood out and all of a sudden he's being spoken about as an Origin prospect," Daley said.

"If Chris and JT all of a sudden click and they play well, it certainly wouldn't harm their chances."

Sandow, one of five new faces in the Indigenous All Stars side named on Wednesday, admits he has let himself dream of an Origin call-up.

But the former South Sydney playmaker is not getting too far ahead of himself, with his primary focus being to enjoy the build-up to the February 4 clash with the NRL All Stars before his first game for the Eels.

Thurston - who claimed Cronk deserved to be at the front of the queue for both Queensland and Australia - admitted Sandow did present an intriguing option for Maroons selectors.

"He does bring that unpredictability to any team," he said.

"He could certainly fit into that (Maroons bench utility) role, either play a bit of nine, get him out of dummy-half, or play a bit of seven."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted December 07, 2011 19:34:10

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Thurston wins Golden Boot

Updated December 02, 2011 11:23:18

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston has won the 2011 Golden Boot award.

The Golden Boot is awarded to rugby league's best international player of the year, as judged by Rugby League World Magazine.

Thurston's man-of-the-match performance in Australia's 30-8 triumph over England in last month's Four Nations final helped get him over the line in voting, ahead of Kangaroos team-mates Cameron Smith and Darren Lockyer.

The mercurial half-back polled 175 votes, five ahead of Smith, while the retiring Lockyer managed 141.

All three were included in Rugby League World Magazine's annual World XIII, as were fellow Australians Billy Slater (full-back), Akuila Uate (wing), Greg Inglis (outside centre), Jamie Lyon (inside centre), Anthony Watmough (lock), Sam Thaiday (second row) and Paul Gallen (prop).

Tags: rugby-league, sport, australia, townsville-4810, qld

First posted December 02, 2011 11:22:00

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Media Call: Johnathan Thurston

Published:Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:50 AESTExpires:Wednesday, October 5, 2011 7:50 AEST

Queensland half-back Johnathan Thurston said he was relieved to find out the knee injury he suffered in the Maroons' series-clinching win was not season-ending and he will be working towards a return in four weeks for North Queensland.

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Thurston out for up to six weeks

Posted July 7, 2011 13:32:00

Queensland half-back Johnathan Thurston is relieved to avoid surgery but he will miss five to six weeks of NRL action after scans revealed medial ligament damage suffered in Wednesday night's State of Origin victory.

It was initially feared Thurston had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and would miss the rest of the season after his sickening collision with Maroons team-mate Ashley Harrison at Lang Park.

The Test number seven underwent scans in Brisbane on Thursday and met knee surgeon Peter Myers to be diagnosed with a grade two medial ligament tear and bone bruising.

While he does not need surgery, Thurston will wear a brace and will be out of NRL action for North Queensland until at least its clash with Brisbane on August 12.

No decisions have been made on a replacement half-back for the Cowboys-Newcastle game on Monday night.

Meanwhile, NSW hooker Michael Ennis has been cleared of serious injury after he was rushed to hospital coughing up blood during the 34-24 Origin III victory by Queensland which clinched a sixth straight series win.

Scans at a Brisbane hospital late on Wednesday night showed there was no fracture to Ennis' sternum after Blues medical officials feared the Canterbury rake had bleeding on the lungs.

There was no early word from the Bulldogs camp regarding Ennis' availability for this weekend's round of NRL matches, but it appears highly unlikely he will line up against Melbourne in Saturday night's clash in Adelaide.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, townsville-4810

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Thurston cleared for Origin decider

Updated June 22, 2011 22:02:00

Johnathan Thurston is free to play in the State of Origin's deciding game three after being found not guilty of his contrary conduct charge for making contact with a referee.

Thurston and his team pleaded not guilty to the grade two charge at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night and successfully argued his collision with referee Matt Cecchin, during North Queensland's match with New Zealand on Saturday night, was accidental.

The Cowboys half-back is now free to play for his club against the Panthers on Sunday before going into camp with the Maroons ahead of the July 6 Origin showdown at Lang Park.

If Thurston was found guilty he would have missed the State of Origin finale and the next two matches for North Queensland, with the spotlight being on his absence for Queensland's bid for a sixth straight series win and Darren Lockyer's Origin farewell.

The fantastic result for Thurston, the Cowboys and Queensland was not without its nervous moments after the judiciary panel of Michael Buettner, Sean Garlic and Ian Roberts took over 45 minutes deliberating their decision.

Thurston also had the option of having his charge downgraded which, if successful, would have seen him serve just a one-match suspension and miss his club match this weekend.

Thurston was represented by Alan Sullivan QC after prominent lawyer Geoff Bellew was unable to get back to Sydney in time for the hearing.

"We knew we had a good case... [but] there was always that little bit of doubt it could not go your way," Thurston said after admitting he was growing nervous the longer the decision took to make.

"I'm just really relieved and I'd like to thank Alan for his support and giving his time up to defend the case.

"I don't want to look too far ahead (to Origin) - I've got a job to do with the Cowboys this weekend against the Panthers, that's my focus, and then I'll turn my focus to Origin then.

Thurston was adamant he did not see Cecchin until the moment of impact, with his eyes firmly fixed on Warriors five-eighth James Maloney after he capitalised on a break made by Feleti Mateo that eventually led to a try."

Judiciary counsel James McLeod claimed Thurston "didn't take the steps that were reasonably available to him to avoid contact with the match official."

Thurston agreed with McLeod's assertion that it was the duty of the player to avoid contact with the referee, but insisted the reason he did not make the effort to step around Cecchin was because he never entered his line of sight.

"I could see the break happening, I had my eyes on Feleti," Thurston said.

"... at no point have I seen the referee until I collided with him."

Asked what he was attempting to do when he crashed into the back of Cecchin, Thurston said:

"I was trying to stop the try from happening.

"I didn't even try and brace (for impact) because I didn't see him until the point of contact."

The assigning of Roberts and Buettner - both former Blues representatives - to the panel would no doubt have given Queenslanders cause for concern, with claims of a southern conspiracy rife north of the border for a charge Maroons coach Mal Meninga had labelled "ludicrous."

NRL officials said former Queensland Origin centre Mark Coyne turned down the opportunity to sit on the panel due to his close relationship with Thurston, while another former Maroon in Bob Lindner was unavailable.

Meninga urged the game's administrators to review the rule.

"I just hope the game re-assesses that particular rule because with two referees on the field at the same time, contact is going to happen at some stage," Meninga told AAP.

"It doesn't happen all that often and I don't know any referee who's been hurt really badly.

"It's a gladiator sport and with two referees on the field the chances are they will come in contact with a player at some stage."

Meninga said he was never really worried that Thurston would miss the July 6 decider.

"I was just hoping they (the judiciary) would draw a line in the sand in regards to the game itself," he said.

"It was completely accidental and it was very important for the game that it came to the decision it did and exercised some common sense."

Thurston's Cowboys team-mate Tariq Sims, a potential bolter for New South Wales selection, was banned for two games with a downgrade plea on his grade two 'crusher' tackle charge rejected.

-ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, qld, townsville-4810

First posted June 22, 2011 19:56:00

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