It’s official. Jonathan Thurston is STILL the best rugby league player in the world, and now also the best five-eighth.
With Darryn Locker now retired the only other contender to claim the top number six jersey is Kiwi skipper Benjy Marshall, but Thurston blew him away in the ANZAC Test Match on Friday night following on from his man of the series performance in the Four Nations.
The former Cleo ‘Most Eligible Bachelor’ aspirant has come a long way since he signed on with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2001 for a ‘nil playing fee’.
His value on the open market today would be a minimum $800,000 per season.
Developing winning footy teams is all about balance, and with Thurston replacing future immortal Lockyer as a second receiver, the National and Queensland teams incredibly are stronger.
Thurston does not offer the calming influence of Lockyer both on and off the field, but his skill level is higher.
Thurston was also the best halfback in the world prior to his move, while Lockyer was always uncomfortable on the few occasions he played halfback, but Thurston’s replacement at seven, Cooper Cronk offers Australia and the Maroons an enhanced skill.
Cronk will be a future NRL coach, and he is the best talker and organiser in the game. As good as Thurston was at halfback, he is not the on field general that Cronk is. He does not scream at his tired forwards and communicate as good to his game breakers.
To be able to add this new general, or should we call him a ‘field marshall’, to an already fabulous team, and then move the best player in the world to a position where he could even go on to greater heights is balance with a capital B.
Thurston is the only player to have played in all 18 games through Queensland’s six-year winning streak in State Of Origin and we have just put forward an argument to say the best is yet to come.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
Lockyer was the five-eighth when the Kiwis won the WC and FN. I don't recall Lockyer being very dominant in either of those games. He was alright in the first half off the WC final, but he was outplayed in the second half.
nesian_rasta
Guest
it was always going to be hard to replace a legend like lockyer....however thurston has been productive at five-eighth........with cronk at halfback, they still need to develop a good combination.....they have played together in the halves before,,,,however the more we see them together, the more their plays will compliment each others playing style....i agree lockyer has a calming effect on the team,,,and thurston wears his heart on his sleeve....but as we know, legends have their own style.....
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Qld True, he is better as 2nd reciever. He looks fab with Cronk.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Qld he is clearly in my top 5 players I have seen.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
steve Thurston is NOT hot and cold. He turns up every week and is normally the best player on the field. Cudnt tell u the last time he was not fab in a rep game. Both he and Cronk handle pressure well. I also think NSW will have a better team, providing Ricky does not stuff up again.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
I recall Thurston leading Queensland to a series vistory when his halves partner, Scott Prince, was taken out early in the game with a broken arm. Pretty much all of Queensland's best tries over the last 8 years started with Thurston putting some one through a gap, dummying or putting in a short kick for Slater.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
Thurston started his career as a five-eighth. The Cowboys bought him as a five-eighth. He only moved to halfback for Origin in 2005. Murray then shifted him into halfback for the Cowboys mid-way through the 2006 season, around the time that the Cowboys went on their losing streak.
steve b
Roar Guru
Well Scott another good read, i take it you are saying its a Q.L.D year again .I think the blues have better chance with locky not on the paddock he was such a great player he added so much in attack and defense .Iknow Thurston is good but he can be hot and cold and i dont believe he has the calming effect on the players if things start going wrong . Anyhow im backing the Blues again i think if they can put the pressure on Thurston and Cronk and keep the mistakes low this could be our year. I hope so ill be a little bit richer