It is always around this time of the year that NRL fans can start debating as to who the form player of the competition really is.
They look at the competition ladder, the Dally M leader board and even a sly look at the statistics to help them determine an answer.
Most seasons there’s a handful of players that tend to stir debate. But in 2015 the simple truth is that fans don’t need any help to find an answer, its really quite simple.
Johnathan Thurston. I don’t think there are enough words or adjectives to describe the performances of JT for both the Queensland Maroons and the North Queensland Cowboys in 2015.
He has led the the Cowboys to 11 straight victories, and the level of consistency and professionalism examined by Thurston over the 2015 season has not only been a testament to the quality of a player he is, but also shows an ultimate test of character that is unparalleled in the game of rugby league.
He is legitimately, a freak of nature.
State of Origin 2 was no more than a complete physical assault on the man in the Maroons’ number six jersey. Time and time again, NSW would savage him with brutal tackles and ruthless tactics in an attempt to get JT off his game. They would drive him into the MCG turf whenever they got the chance; a ploy by NSW that has been classed as “grubby” by many in the game.
Despite the truth of the dirty tactics, JT managed to rise to his feet, no matter how much the pain persisted.
It goes back to that old cliché saying of how a champion never stays down, and the truth is, the man that is Johnathan Thurston – he certainly never stayed down.
Fast track three days later, and Thurston puts in another masterclass performance – a true captain’s display against the nation’s capital. He played a significant role in leading the Cowboys to their 11th straight victory, even nailing a field goal in the dying stages of the game when it was all but certain to head to golden point.
It is simply just another moment to add to the fairytale career that we have been so lucky to witness since his debut for the Bulldogs in 2002.
His effort in the small areas of his game often go unnoticed, simply because of his surreal talent that sees him light up the footy field so often in what is a gruelling NRL competition. He is the one man chasing defenders to the last metre, the man supporting his forwards has they battle their way up the field, and the man who just does not stop until he hears the final whistle.
The amount of work JT gets through in 80 minutes is simply ridiculous.
The value of Johnathan Thurston as not only a player but a leader of men is a quality that is now hard to find in the game of rugby league. It is so unique in nature that we often take for granted a balance of qualities that is incredibly rare in any sport we come across.
It is not often that players exemplify a consistent level of professionalism with such extraordinary skill. What is even more incredible is the ability to find a pure desire and hunger for success that can so easily burn in such illustrious careers.
The champion that Thurston has become has not only been determined by his performances on the field, but also the leader and man he has grown into over the course of his career. He is now classed as a true gentleman of the game and the perfect role model for kids who look up to the game’s stars as idols which also help drive them to achieve their goals. It is seen so often that he really is a man of value with a sincere love for the fans of the game.
It is safe to say that he is far more of a man today than what he was back as a young adult who often found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He has proven to have learned from his mistakes, and used it as motives to not only strive to become a better player, but also a better person.
The distinguished career of Thurston has seen him achieve success on so many different levels – individually and also for his club and representative teams. The long list of achievements, which includes three Dally M Medals, two Golden Boots and a host more, is truly a testament to the amount of commitment he has given to the game over such a long career.
It has been nothing more than a privilege to witness the player, gentleman and true champion that Thurston has been, and continues to be over the course of a fine career. I will forever marvel at his freakish talents and footballing ability, but will never take for granted the man, leader and respected figure that he continues to be for the game of rugby league.
It is not often that an individual can offer so much as he has to the game of rugby league, and it is only right that he will forever sit among rugby leagues eight Immortals, and always be revered as one of rugby league’s greatest champions.
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