Johnathan Thurston says he doesn’t want to see good mate Justin Hodges miss the NRL grand final through suspension.
Hodges will take his fight to play in the premiership decider to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night after he was hit with a grade one dangerous throw on Aidan Guerra in Brisbane’s preliminary final thumping of Sydney Roosters.
The Australian and Queensland representative’s illustrious career will be over if he doesn’t beat the one-match ban, after he signalled his intention last month to pull the pin on his 16-year first grade career at the end of the season.
If Hodges is rubbed out of the grand final against Thurston’s North Queensland side, it would be a big boost to the Cowboys chances of claiming their inaugural NRL title.
But Thurston wants to see his Maroons and Kangaroos teammate take the field at ANZ Stadium for the last game of the season on Sunday.
“It would be very disappointing for him to miss it, he is obviously a very great mate of mine,” Thurston said.
“But it is out of my control we will have to wait and see.”
Thurston left AAMI Park 10 minutes early on Saturday night due to a calf injury with a preliminary final victory over Melbourne secure.
The superstar pivot has struggled with a groin injury over the last month and it again affected his usually faultless goalkicking in the 32-12 win over Storm.
But Thurston downplayed any concerns over his fitness.
“The body is fine, I’m all good,” he said.
“This week now is just all about getting the body right and preparing the best way possible.
“It is going to be an exciting week.”
Guerra is expected to give evidence in favour of Hodges at the judiciary.
South Sydney hooker Issac Luke missed last year’s decider through a dangerous throw suspension.
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