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Is there no ending to rugby league superstar Johnathan Thurston’s remarkable 2015?
Last Wednesday, the 32-year-old Kangaroo, Queensland, and captain of the Cowboys, dressed to the nines with traditional floppy hat and cape, was awarded a Doctorate of Letters from the James Cook University in Townsville for his “standout services and exceptional contributions to the North Queensland community”.
No argument with that terminology, ending Thurston’s most extraordinary year of achievements and records.
His drop goal in extra-time sealed the Cowboys’ first NRL premiership in the club’s 23-year history, the one-pointer so predictable off Thurston’s boot when the scoreline at full-time was 16-all with the Broncos in the first all-Queensland decider.
The historic moment and the 83 minutes of inspiration won Thurston his first Clive Churchill Medal for the best player in the grand final.
But winning medals and awards has become second nature to the record-breaking Johnathan Thurston.
He won his record fourth Dally M Medal – 2005, 2007, 2014, and 2015.
A record third Golden Boot as the world’s best rugby league footballer – 2011, 2013, and 2015.
A record fourth rugby league Players Association Player of the Year award – 2005, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Most consecutive State of Origin games – 30 (2005 to present).
Most Origin career points – 200.
Most goals in a single Origin game – nine in Game 3 this year.
Most Origin career goals – 94.
And most Cowboys’ Player of the Year awards – 2005, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
To put the icing on the cake, last month Thurston eloped to Hamilton Island to marry his long-time partner Samantha with their two daughters – three-year-old Frankie, and nine-months-old Charlie – in attendance.
There’s only one more recognition yet to be achieved – Immortality.
But according to the Immortal’s concept owner – Rugby League Week – no player can be awarded Immortal status until they have been retired at least five years.
And with Thurston likely to be around for another two to three years, he will remain an obvious Immortal-in-waiting.
So how about 2016?
If Thurston can get within shouting distance of this year’s achievements he will have had a big year.
One thing for sure, he has the most infectious laugh in Australian sport with the closest contender the former Australian leggie Kerry O’Keeffe.
Give it to Johnathan in a roar, but there’s no news in that.
He’s a constant winner with no sign of arrogance – just humility.