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| height = 5 ft 10 ins (1.79 m)
| height = 5 ft 10 ins (1.79 m)
| weight = 13 st 0 lbs (83 kg)
| weight = 13 st 0 lbs (83 kg)
| nickname = JT,The little Engine That Could
| nickname = The little Engine That Could
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1983|4|25}}
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1983|4|25}}
| cityofbirth = [[Brisbane, Queensland]]
| cityofbirth = [[Brisbane, Queensland]]

Revision as of 17:56, 15 September 2007

Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Personal information
Full nameJohnathan Dean Thurston
Height5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
Weight13 st 0 lb (83 kg)
PositionHalf-back / Five Eighth

Johnathan Dean Thurston (born 25 April, 1983 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league player who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition as well as Queensland and Australia.

Career

Canterbury Bulldogs

Thurston made his first grade debut for the Bulldogs against the Penrith Panthers at Penrith Football Stadium in round 13 of the National Rugby League season 2002. In 2004, in his third season in first grade for the Bulldogs, he was part of the Bulldogs Premiership-winning side. He was then signed up by the North Queensland Cowboys for the 2005 NRL season until 2006.

North Queensland Cowboys

2005 proved to be a turning point in Thurston's career, his consistency earned him his first State of Origin jersey. In his first match he was voted player's player after being in the top 4 tacklers and kicking an amazing field goal to force the game into extra time. He was awarded the Dally M. Medal in 2005 in his first season with the Cowboys for his impressive displays throughout the season. He also played an integral part in guiding North Queensland to their first ever NRL Grand Final, which they lost 30-16 to the Wests Tigers.

In 2006, Thurston continued the good form he had developed the previous year. His performances already had him well ahead on the Dally M medal tally after only a handful of games. [citation needed] After about round ten his form started to drop off as the Cowboys season went downhill. However, he was still instrumental in Queensland's 2006 Rugby League State of Origin Series win as the Maroons recovered from defeat in the first game to take the Series 2-1. Trailing with only 10 mins to go in the deciding game, an audacious break took Thurston into space to set up Brent Tate to bring Queensland within touching distance of New South Wales before a Darren Lockyer try sealed the win for Queensland.

Thurston also showed tremendous courage and mental strength in recovering from a dislocated knee at the end of the regular NRL season to make the Kanagaroo squad for the Tri-Nations tournament. He was chosen to play halfback in the Australian team for the first and second game of the Tri-Nations against New Zealand where he played excellent football. In the first game, Thurston gained man of the match honours. Despite losing the jumper to Ben Hornby for the first game against Great Britain he returned for the 2nd game against Great Britain and kept his place for the final. In this match, with the scores locked at 12-12 and the game into its 2nd half of golden point extra time, a Thurston break allowed him to set Darren Lockyer up for the series-winning try for The Kangaroos.

He was appointed Captain of the Cowboys in 2007 following the retirement of Travis Norton. Also in 2007 he was named man-of-the-match for his performance in Queensland's victory in game one of the State of Origin.

In September, Thurston won the Dally M Player of the Year Award for the second time in three years, narrowly edging out Robbie Farah. He also took home the Halfback of the Year award.

Statistics

Club Football

Canterbury Bulldogs
2002 - 2004

Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
30 10 0 0 40

North Queensland Cowboys
2005 - Present

Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
66 27 154 2 418

Career Stats
2002 - Present

Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
96 37 154 2 458

Representative Football

Queensland
2005 - Present

Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
9 1 12 2 30

Australia
2006 - Present

Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
6 0 22 0 44

Achievements

Individual

2005: North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year
2005: Dally M Player of the Year
2005: Dally M Halfback of the Year
2007: Dally M Player of the Year
2007: Dally M Halfback of the Year

Team

2004: NRL Grand Final - Canterbury Bulldogs - Winners
2005: NRL Grand Final - North Queensland Cowboys - Runners-Up

Personal life

In late 2005, Thurston was one of 12 of the hottest players in the NRL that posed for the League Of Their Own 2006 calendar that was produced in the style of the famous Dieux du Stade calendars to raise money for the Koori Kids foundation. Thurston was chosen to appear on the cover of the calendar.

Also, he is one of Cleo magazine's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors for 2006.

His mother is Aboriginal, his father is a New Zealander.

Thurston lives with his parents Graham and Debbie, his 21 year old brother, Shane and 19 year old sister, Isabel. [1]

References