Johnathan Thurston

Thurston's warning to Cowboys ahead of Storm showdown

The Cowboys appeared to be on their way to a victory after the first quarter of the game but the Broncos responded with three quick tries which could easily have been six as North Queensland opened up like a can of sardines.

The Cowboys travel to Melbourne for a Thursday night clash with their grand final opponents from 2017 and Thurston said it would be carnage unless the defensive effort was better across the park.

Thurston magic leads Cowboys to testimonial win

In a moment that could not have been scripted better, Johnathan Thurston pulled a stunning banana kick out of his box of tricks in the final minute to set up a try for hat-trick hero Kyle Feldt and secure a 16-14 win for the North Queensland Cowboys over the Melbourne Storm in his testimonial match at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

It was a perfectly executed move and one that summed up the career of a genius.

Earlier, on the stroke of half-time Thurston put on the signature move that has defined his attacking prowess to score a classic try.

Johnathan Thurston’s retirement plans could include plotting the downfall of the Maroons

The Blues’ great tormentor for more than a decade, Thurston will on Friday morning launch the Johnathan Thurston Academy in the lead-up to the testimonial match in conjunction with great mate Cameron Smith at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Academy is just one of a number of post-football projects Thurston has in the pipeline but the future Immortal did baulk at the suggestion of a move into full-time coaching.

Pearce could rue Roosters exit: Thurston

Thurston admitted the Roosters' decision to sign Cronk for two NRL seasons was "harsh" on Pearce, but said the 28-year-old was forgoing a golden chance to complete his skill set.

Thurston returns to Cowboys training

The 34-year-old North Queensland co-captain underwent shoulder surgery after bravely guiding Queensland to victory in Origin II on June 21 despite playing under duress, in what was the last game he played in 2017.

Cowboys coach Paul Green told NRL.com that Thurston’s rehabilitation had been on track before the club’s post-season break and he had wanted to return early to pre-season training.

“JT had to have some days off through that (rehabilitation) period so he wanted to start a bit earlier,” Green said.

JT providing extra motivation for Maroons

Thurston's State of Origin farewell has been ruined by a shoulder injury, with the 34-year-old missing what was set to be his last match in Maroon on Wednesday night. 

The season-ending injury was a cruel finish to a decorated Origin career that began way back in 2005 and included 36 straight matches for Queensland. 

Despite putting so much on the line for the Maroons over the years, the man many refer to as 'the GOAT' will not let Wednesday be about him, turning down the offer of a lap of honour before the match. 

Thurston ruled out for season

The injury comes as a blow to both the Cowboys' premiership hopes and Queensland's Origin aspirations, with Thurston being an integral part of both teams. 

Thurston set to play 300th

It will take an injury to prevent Thurston from simultaneously entering the exclusive 300 club, as well as becoming the most capped Cowboys with 271 games for North Queensland, overtaking Matthew Bowen. 

The only change to the side that defeated the Parramatta Eels in Round 14 is the inclusion of Corey Jensen on the bench, taking over from Ben Spina, who injured his biceps against the Melbourne Strom in Round 15. 

Thurston devastated by Origin withdrawal

For the first time since Game Three, 2004 a State of Origin match will be played without Thurston after the champion five-eighth was officially withdrawn from the team, freeing the way for Anthony Milford to prepare for his Origin debut without any doubt.

On Wednesday morning Thurston told the media that he remained hopeful of playing his 37th consecutive Origin match but some testing late on Wednesday afternoon and a subsequent scan early Thursday morning confirmed that his shoulder was in no fit state to take the field and the decision was made.

Thurston signs on for another year with Cowboys

Thurston confirmed at the Cowboys' mid-year dinner in Townsville on Friday night that he would play on in the 2018 season after this year's representative swan-song.

But the jury is still out on whether Thurston will launch his 2017 representative farewell in May 31's Origin opener as he battles a shoulder injury suffered in the trans-Tasman Test.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters is set to give Thurston until May 28 to prove his fitness - just days before Origin I in Brisbane.