Johnathan Thurston

At 41 years old, Johnathan Thurston has this physical status:

Johnathan Dean Thurston (born 25 April 1983) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the NRL.

Thurston was an Australian international, Queensland State of Origin and Indigenous All Stars representative.

He played as a halfback or five-eighth and was a noted goal-kicker.

In 2015, he became the first ever four-time Dally M Medallist for the NRL season's best player, and later that year became the first ever three-time winner of the Golden Boot Award for the World's best player.

During his career he had been frequently regarded as the greatest to have played the game. Johnathan Thurston started his career at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002, where he won the 2004 NRL premiership, before moving to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005, playing in that year's grand final.

In that year, he made his debut for Queensland, before making his Australian debut in 2006.

He was the 2008 Wally Lewis medalist for State of Origin player of the series.

Also in 2008, he was named as halfback of the Australian Aboriginal team of the century.

Thurston was the only player to play in all 24 games of Queensland's eight-year State of Origin winning streak from 2006, having played 36 consecutive Origin matches from his debut in 2005.

Thurston broke the record for most points in State of Origin history during the 2015 State of Origin Series.

Also in 2015, Thurston co-captained the North Queensland Cowboys, along with teammate Matt Scott, to their inaugural NRL Premiership.

He was also the 2015 Clive Churchill Medallist for grand final man of the match. In 2018, Thurston founded and launched the Johnathan Thurston Academy (JTAcademy) of which is he now the Managing Director.

The JTAcademy provides a forum, which encourages Australian youth to access the educational and vocational resources needed to secure meaningful employment.

Personal life

Thurston was a finalist in Cleo magazine's Most Eligible Bachelors for 2006.

On 25 October 2008, Thurston's uncle Richard Saunders and two friends were assaulted by a group of men in Woodridge, a suburb south-east of Brisbane. Mr Saunders later died in hospital, with eight people subsequently jailed in connection with the attack.

Thurston is a shareholder of Collings Aviation Holdings which in March 2015 bought out Cairns based airline Skytrans after it fell into administration.

Since 2008, Thurston has been in a relationship with Samantha Lynch. In June 2013, the couple had their first child together; a daughter they named Frankie Louise Thurston. In March 2015 the pair welcomed their second daughter Charlie Grace Thurston. On 3 November 2015, Johnathan and Samantha 'eloped' to Hamilton Island to marry in a private ceremony with their daughters and parents present. This news was broken by Sam on her Instagram. The couple welcomed a third daughter, Lillie Rose Thurston, on 22 March 2017. Their fourth daughter, Remie Lee, arrived in February 2019.

Thurston is a Catholic and once offered a priest free air-travel to Coen to conduct Mass.

In 2022, Thurston provided a voice cameo in an episode of Australian children's show Bluey, entitled "The Decider", in which he provided sideline analysis for a fictional State of Origin match between Queensland and New South Wales.

In late 2005, Thurston was one of 13 NRL players who posed for the League of Their Own 2006 calendar that was produced in the style of the Dieux du Stade calendars to raise money for the Koori Kids foundation. Thurston was chosen to appear on the cover of the calendar. He has also worked with the Indigenous communities of North Queensland and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Thurston is also known for always handing — rather than throwing — his kicking tee after a place kick to the ballboy, and for giving away his headgear to a young member of the crowd at the end of a match. In December 2017 Thurston was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission Medal for his work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In 2017 Thurston Also won the Queenslander of the Year award and in 2018 was nominated for the Australian of the Year award.

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Playing career

Thurston made his NRL debut against the Penrith Bulldogs in round 13 of the 2002 NRL season, winning 38–24 at Penrith Stadium from the interchange bench. Thurston scored his first and second NRL tries in Canterbury-Bankstown's 34–26 victory over Dairy Farmers Stadium in round 21 against the North Queensland Cowboys. In his debut season, Thurston had 2 tries out of 7 games. Thurston, a halves expert, was behind the formation of Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta, but many of his followers argued he was still too small in stature to be competitive in the NRL. Thurston was limited to 7 appearances for the 2002 season due to the Bulldogs' salary cap violation, as his fees for first-grade matches would have continued to exceed the NRL's salary ceiling.

In 2003, Thurston played in 15 matches and scored four tries.

Despite Thurston's inability to secure a starting position and only played in 29 games over three seasons at Canterbury-Bankstown in his last year, he was part of the Premiership-winning team, winning the 2004 NRL Grand Finals, defeating the Sydney Roosters. Thurston wore number #18 for the match as he had been a late arrival for regular captain Steve Price, who had been ruled out of the match due to a knee injury in the lead up to the match. Thurston gave Price his premiership ring as a thank you as he was first housed and mentored him on his arrival in Sydney. In return, Price was able to give Thurston a new call. It was announced that 2004 would be his last year for the Sydney club after he was first signed by the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005. Thurston played 7 games and scored 4 tries for the year. Thurston was approached by New Zealand at the end of the season, but they declined to represent Australia and Queensland.

Thurston had intended to remain at Canterbury into the 2004 season, but the club's leadership had re-signed Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta. According to Thurston's boss Sam Ayoub, the player wanted to stay at Canterbury even if it had resulted in a reduced salary, but had been told that moving was the correct option.

Thurston made his club debut against the Brisbane Broncos at five-eighth in round 1 of the 2005 NRL season, defeating the Brisbane Broncos at five-eighth at Suncorp Stadium at five-eighth. Thurston scored his first club try for the Cowboys in round 4, defeating the Newcastle Knights, 52–18. Thurston's return to Queensland was a turning point in his career. He was the Cowboys' starting halfback, and his dedication earned him his first Queensland State of Origin jersey. Thurston was named Player's Player in Game 1 of the 2005 State of Origins series at Suncorp Stadium, after being in the top four tacklers and kick a field goal, causing the game to extra time with Queensland winning 24-20 after Cowboys teammate Matt Bowen scored an intercept try. Thurston scored a try in Game 3 of the Maroons 32-10 2005 State of Origin series loss at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was named in the 2005 NRL Player of the Year Award and the coveted Dally M Medal as the club's first player of the year. The Cowboys lost 30–16 to the Wests Tigers, effectively ending Thurston's hopes of winning two grand finals in a row. In the 2005 NRL season, Thurston played in 26 games, scored 5 tries, kicked 28 goals, and kicked two field goals. This was the start of a flourishing career.

Thurston started the 2006 NRL season with a bang against the Brisbane Broncos; Thurston had a hat trick of tries and kicked 6 goals in the Cowboys' 36–4 victory at Suncorp Stadium; Thurston kicked 6 goals in Round 1 against the Brisbane Broncos. This was the start of a six-match winning streak. Thurston was selected to make his international debut for Australia in the 2006 Anzac Test against New Zealand off the interchange bench in the Kangaroos 50-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was instrumental in Queensland's series victory over the Maroons as they returned from defeat in the first game to take the series 2–1. Thurston was involved in all three games and kicked 7 goals. The Cowboys fell into a mid-year slump after this series, and Thurston dislocated his knee in Round 20. Thurston was unable to travel in 18 games, scoring 11 tries, and kicking 49 goals while Thurston finished at 9th place in ninth place. Thurston returned from his injury at the end of the regular NRL season and played for the Prime Minister's XIII before making the Australian squad for the Tri-Nations tournament. Thurston was selected to play halfback in the first and second games against New Zealand, where he was rewarded with 'Man of Match' honours for the first game. Despite losing the jumper to Ben Hornby in the first game against Great Britain, he returned for his second game against Great Britain and kept his place in the final against New Zealand. With the scores tied at 12-12 and the game into its 2nd half of golden point extra time, Darren Lockyer was able to bring Darren Lockyer up for the 16–12 series-winning attempt for the Kangaroos, ending his year on a high note.

Following Travis Norton's retirement, Thurston was named the team's Captain in his third year with the Cowboys in the 2007 NRL season. Thurston was selected again to play for the Australian national team at halfback in the 2007 Anzac Test match against New Zealand, with a kicking 5 goals from 6 attempts in the Kangaroos' 30–6 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was dubbed 'Man of the Match' in Game One of the 2007 State of Origin series for his role in Queensland's 25–18 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was an excellent captain for the Cowboys, and the team's record rose from last year to a third-place finish by the end of the regular season. Unfortunately, they dropped 28–6 to the second-placed Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in what was otherwise a fruitful year. Thurston received the Dally M Medal Player of the Year Award for the second time in three years on September 4, 2007, barely beating out Robbie Farah of the West Coast Tigers due to his solid results in the final rounds of the regular season. In the 2007 season, Thurston played in 25 matches, scored 10 goals, and kicked 78 goals for the Cowboys.

Thurston would require major shoulder surgery as a result of continuing physical injury to his ligaments at the end of the 2007 season. He underwent two shoulder reconstructions. Thurston was supposed to return to the Cowboys in Round 5 of the 2008 NRL season following off-season injury, but the Cowboys got a surprise victory over the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1, scoring 2 tries in the Cowboys' 36-38 loss at their home ground of Robina Stadium. Thurston played his 100th NRL match against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 3 of the Cowboys, losing by 36–2 at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was selected at halfback in the Australian team for the Centenary Test against New Zealand, but Thurston kicked 4 goals in the Kangaroos 28-12 victory at the SCG. Thurston put up a try for Billy Slater, who would eventually win the game and the series for Queensland 16-10 at ANZ Stadium in game three of the 2008 State of Origin story. Thurston was also named as the Best of the Series by the Wally Lewis. Thurston would not repeat last year's success in 2008, as the Cowboys seemed to have shed all of the club's energy that had helped to revive the club's image in recent years. Three victories at the start of the year held promise, but all hope faded after a record-breaking 15-match losing streak. In the 2008 NRL season, Thurston played 17 matches, scored 4 goals, and kicked 39 goals for the Cowboys. Thurston was named in the Australia training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in August 2008. Thurston was named in the final 24-man Australian squad on October 7, 2008. In Australia's first match of the tournament, Thurston, despite mourning the murder of his uncle in a Brisbane park less than 38 hours before, put on a good showing to be named man-of-the-match in the Kangaroos 30–6 victory over the Kiwis. Thurston played at halfback and kicked 2 goals against New Zealand in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final against New Zealand, defeating Suncorp Stadium 34-20.

Thurston was selected in the 2009 Anzac Test for Australia against New Zealand at halfback, scoring 2 tries and kicking 5 goals in the Kangaroos 38–10 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston was selected at halfback for all three matches in April 2009 and was later named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the 2009 State of Origins series's first match. Thurston helped Queensland win 24–14 in Game Two at ANZ Stadium, becoming the first side to win four consecutive series. Thurston was also involved in the third match, which Brisbane lost 28-16 at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston played his 100th club match for the Cowboys in Round 17 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, winning by 24–4 at Dairy Famrers Stadium. Thurston was a front runner for his third Dally M 'Player of the Year' Award this year, but the Parramatta Eels' Jarryd Hayne came in second, only to be outnumbered in points totals. Despite failing out marginally on the top award, Thurston nonetheless earned enough points to be named 'Halfback of the Year.' In the 2009 NRL season, Thurston played in 23 games, scored 11 tries, and kicked 79 goals for the Cowboys. Thurston's team defeated Papua New Guinea 42–18 in Port Moresby, after the NRL season had come to an end. Thurston travelled with the Australian national team to Europe for the 2009 Rugby League Four Nations tournament. Thurston was named man-of-the-match in the Kangaroos' 46-16 victory over Elland Road in the Four Nations final match against England. Thurston was the tournament's best point scorer with 36 points on a try and 17 goals.

Thurston was selected for the inaugural Indigenous All Stars squad against the NRL All Stars at halfback, kicking 2 goals, and winning the Preston Campbell Medal man-of-the-match in the 16–12 victory over Cbus Super Stadium on February 13. In Round 5 of the Cowboys' 23–16 loss at Dairy Farmers Stadium, a shoulder injury was sustained by a shoulder injury in the 2010 Anzac Test. Thurston was named man-of-the-match in Queensland's 28-24 victory, earning him a total of three Origin man-of-the-match awards. Thurston's outstanding individual effort earned him a reputation as Queensland's Greatest Halfback, with ex-players from both directions of the border commenting on his performance in 2005, which rivals Andrew Johns' 2005 performance. Thurston was found guilty of swearing at the referee 8 times during a match against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, which resulted in Manly winning 24-20. Thurston played his 150th NRL match against the Parramatta Eels in Round 18 at Parramatta Stadium. Thurston played in 17 games, scoring 2 goals, kicking 43 goals, and kicks 1 field goal for the Cowboys during the 2010 NRL season. Thurston was unable to participate in the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations series due to an ankle injury.

Thurston was also selected for the Indigenous All Stars squad for the NRL All Stars match at Cbus Super Stadium on February 12, 2011. Thurston played at halfback and kicked two goals in Australia's 20–10 victory at Cbus Super Stadium in the 2011 Anzac Test against New Zealand. Thurston sustained what looked to be a catastrophic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in Game 3 of the 2011 State of Origin collection, which was the second half of the 34–24 series victory at Suncorp Stadium. Thurston, who had to be kept off the track for the remainder of the season, was concerned that with immediate surgery, he might be back by Round 25, and in time for a potential Cowboys finals appearance. Thurston was leading the Dally M Medal ladder by two straight man-of-the-match results (six points ahead of nearest competitor Kieran Foran) at the time of his injury (six points ahead of nearest competitor Kieran Foran). Thurston would miss 5–6 weeks and will need to wear a leg brace after the scans revealed he had sustained a grade two medial ligament damage but not necessitated surgery but not needed surgery. This was Thurston's first Origin match since his debut in Game I 2005, defeating one of his teammates' records in Cameron Smith, who played 19 consecutive Origins since his debut in Game III 2003. Thurston defeated the Brisbane Broncos later in Round 23 against the Brisbane Broncos, a record breaking match for the Cowboys. The Cowboys reached the finals on the ladder, finishing 7th in the second half before being defeated by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the second half in a 42–8 loss after leading 8–0 at halftime at the Sydney Football Stadium. In the 2011 NRL season, Thurston played in 19 games, scored ten tries, and kicked 61 goals for the Cowboys. Thurston travelled with the Australian national team to England for the 2011 Four Nations tournament, where he appeared in all four games for Australia. During his stay in the United Kingdom, Thurston picked up man of the match accolades on three occasions, including the final in which Australia defeated Australia 31–8 at Elland Road. Thurston scored 3 attempts and converted 22 goals from 25 attempts during the tournament, totaling 52 points. Thurston was lauded for his 2011 work with the Golden Boot Award.

Thurston played his 150th NRL game for the Cowboys in Round 6, losing 42–18 at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Thurston played at five-eighth, scored a try, kicked four goals from four attempts, and was named man-of-the-match in the Kangaroos 20–12 triumph at Eden Park in the 2012 Anzac Test against New Zealand. In the 2012 State of Origins series, Thurston helped Queensland win their seventh consecutive Origin series victory, 2–1. In the 2012 NRL season, Thurston played 24 matches, scored 3 points, kicked 90 goals, and kicked a 1 field goal for the Cowboys. Thurston was named the NRL's five-eighth of the year at the 2012 Dally M Awards. Thurston scored 3 goals in the 18–10 victory over the New Zealand Kiwis on October 13, 2012, one off a one-off October Trans-Tasman test at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Thurston signed the best deal in rugby league history on March 11, 2013, promising that he will remain with the North Queensland Cowboys. North Queensland has announced a massive four-year contract to keep the Queensland Maroons and Australia Kangaroos star half at the club. He was just close to leaving the Cowboys and signing with the Penrith Panthers, but he moved to Townsville for the birth of his first child. Thurston played his 200th NRL game against the Newcastle Knights in Round 3, defeating the Cowboys 34–6 loss at Hunter Stadium. Thurston played for Australia at five-eighth in the 2013 Anzac Test against New Zealand, defeating New Zealand by five-eighths at Canberra Stadium. In Queensland's third and deciding game in the 12–10 victory at ANZ Stadium, Thurston scored a try and kicked two goals, helping the Maroons win their third consecutive series victories.

Thurston was also a leader for the Cowboys alongside Matt Bowen and Brent Tate to the 2013 finals, winning 6 straight times. However, the Cowboys were disqualified in the first week of a tumultuous match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the Sydney Football Stadium. Beau Ryan, the Sharks' seventh tackle try, was given to him in this match, with the final result 20–18. Thurston then said in a later interview that there was a plot in the NRL that they wanted an all Sydney grand final. In the 2013 NRL season, Thurston played in 22 games, scored 2 tries, kicked 71 goals, and kicked a single field goal for the Cowboys. Thurston was a member of the Australian team who traveled to Europe for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in the post-season. Thurston was named the man-of-the-match in the Kangaroos 34–2 win over New Zealand in the World Cup Final against New Zealand, his fourth straight award of the tournament. Thurston also set a new record for the Kangaroos by scoring 309 test points. Thurston played in five matches, scored two goals, and kicked 33 goals in the tournament.

Following his success in Australia's World Cup and Queensland's State of Origins, Thurston was named 2013's Golden Boot Award winner on January 17th. It was his second Golden Boot in three years. In Australia's 30–18 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium, Thurston played in the 2014 Anzac Test at five-eighth, kicking 5 goals in a man-of-the-match effort. Thurston played his 200th club match for the Cowboys against the Sydney Roosters in Round 10, scoring a try and kicking 7 goals. In the 2014 State of Origins collection, Thurston went on to play five-eighth for Queensland. Despite losing Game 1 and Game 2 in Sydney, as well as the 2014 Origin Series, Thurston scored his second penalty kick in Game 2 of Game 2 in the Maroons 6–4 loss. In Queensland's 32-28 victory over New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium, Thurston stayed at five-eighth kicking all six goals. Thurston went from five-eighth to halfback in Round 19 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the Cowboys 36-18 victory at Remondis Stadium in the 2014 State of Origin Series. Thurston stayed at halfback through the season's back end of the season, leading up to the Cowboys Finals Week 2 tense match against the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium. Thurston prompted the Cowboys to comeback from 30-0 down after 34 minutes to even at 30-30 after 56 minutes, scoring the Cowboys third attempt in the comeback. Thurston scored a touchdown after James Maloney kicked a field goal to put the Roosters up by 31-30 after the ball came forward off the arm of Cowboys five-eighth Robert Lui as the ball went forward. The Cowboys lost the match 31-30, putting the Cowboys season to a halt for the third year in a row. Thurston made the switch to halfback after the Origins series, winning 8 out of ten games in the halfback position. Thurston played in 24 games, scoring 11 goals, kicking 93 goals, and kicking 4 field goals for the Cowboys, rounding out the 2014 NRL season. The 2014 Dally M Player of the Year Award was presented to Thurston and Parramatta Eels captain Jarryd Hayne on September 29, 2014. It was his third Dally M Player of the Year award for Thurston following his win in 2007 and being a multiple award winner on the night, as well as the Provan-Summons Medal and the Provan-Summons Medal awards. Thurston was disqualified from Australia's 2014 Four Nations campaign due to a shoulder injury.

Thurston was selected to play at halfback for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match at Cbus Super Stadium on February 13, 2015. The Indigenous team defeated the NRL All Stars 20–6. Many people doubted the North Queensland Cowboys' premiership credentials after they started the season with three straight losses. The Cowboys began winning in a thrilling round 4 victory over Melbourne Storm, but Thurston won multiple Man of the Match awards in the process. Thurston was picked at five-eighth for Australia against New Zealand in the Kangaroos' 26-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium, scoring two goals. Thurston was involved in all three games of Queensland's 2-1 State of Origins triumph. Thurston claimed the 2015 Dally M Player of the Year Award by a wide margin of 11 points on September 28, 2015. In addition,, he was named as the year's best Dally M Halfback of the Year and, alongside Cowboys co-capt. Matthew Scott, was named Dally M Captain of the Year. After North Queensland Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt's 80th minute attempt to tie the game in the 2015 NRL Grand Final against Queensland's Brisbane Broncos, Kyle Feldt scored in 80th minute on Sunday. Thurston converted to win the premiership, resulting in a golden point extra time. North Queensland won the toss, electing to kick, and Thurston kicked a field goal in the 82nd minute, securing the North Queensland Cowboys' first ever premiership. Thurston was named the Clive Churchill Medal man-of-the-match in the Cowboys' 17–16 victory. Thurston finished his stellar 2015 NRL season with him playing in 24 games, scoring 4 goals, kicking 93 goals, and kickin six field goals for the Cowboys. Thurston received the Golden Boot Award for the third time on November 20th. Thurston was named halfback and captain for the Indigenous All Stars team on December 15, 2015, a change from the previous World All Stars team's team's roster.

Thurston was named man of the match after winning the Graham Murray Medal in North Queensland's 2016 World Club Challenge against Leeds, starting at halfback, scoring a try and kick five goals in the Cowboys' 36–4 victory and winning the Graham Murray Medal. Thurston scored his 1000th point at 1300SMILES Stadium when he kicked a conversion against the South Sydney Rabbitohs as the Cowboys defeated the Rabbitohs 418-18. Thurston played for Australia against New Zealand on May 6th, beating New Zealand by five-eighths and kicking a goal. Thurston played his 250th club appearance for the North Queensland Cowboys against Queensland rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, in front of a home audience at 1300SMILES Stadium, where he kicked the winning field goal with 5 minutes remaining to win the Cowboys, 19-18. At Full Time, he received man of the match awards. Thurston revealed in 2016 that he is likely to retire at the end of the 2018 season.

Thurston was nominated for four awards including; Captain of the Year, Representative of the Year, Halfback of the Year, and Provan Summons Medalist. Thurston also came in second in the Dally M Player of the Year voting, receiving 22 points.

Thurston was selected in the Australian Kangaroos test squad for the 2016 Four Nations tournament, a week after the 2016 NRL Grand Finals. Thurston defeated New Zealand 26–6 in Perth on October 15th in a warmup match.

Thurston played a key role in the victory, winning by five-eighth and kicking five goals. Australia defeated New Zealand 34-8. Thurston was the highest point scorer in the series, with 32 points from his three games.

All through 2017, Thurston had been plagued by injuries. During the Cowboys' 16–26 loss to the Tigers in round 6 of the 2017 NRL season, he sustained a calf injury. He recovered from that injury in time to play in the 2017 ANZAC Test for Australia. He picked up a shoulder injury in the Test match, which forced him to miss eight weeks of action. He didn't recover in time for State of Origin game 1; but the Cowboys won by 32–6 over the Eels in round 14.

It was predicted that he would not be ready by game 2, but that he was actually in the lineup for the second game after New South Wales defeated game 1 by winning game 1. Queensland won game 2 in a close one with Thurston injured his shoulder but winning points by kicking a goal to convert a late try. Following Queensland's victory in game 2; Thurston suffered with a season-ending shoulder injury, ruled out for the remainder of the 2017 NRL season, including game 3 of the Melbourne Storm and the World Cup.

In Thurston's send-off from State of Origin Series competition, Queensland defeated New South Wales 22–6.

Thurston returned to the Cowboys at the start of the new season, playing his 300th match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 1. Given their Grand Final appearance in 2017 and Thurston's retirement from representative football, the Cowboys were expected to have another shot in the finals and possibly another Grand Final appearance, but they fell short, finishing 13th overall and failing to qualify for the finals.

Thurston appeared in his last game against the Gold Coast Titans, resulting in a thrilling match that the Cowboys eventually won 30–26.

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