Johnathan Thurston’s verdict on Cowboys shock captaincy switch

North Queensland’s greatest captain has revealed his stance on the twin promotions of Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter to the Cowboys leadership in 2024.

North Queensland’s greatest captain has revealed his total support for the twin promotions of Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter to the Cowboys leadership in 2024.

Johnathan Thurston led the Cowboys to 134 wins from 251 matches over 12 seasons as North Queensland’s captain, including the club’s maiden premiership in 2015.

Like Dearden, 17 years his junior, Thurston was the youngest captain in the NRL when he assumed the captaincy in 2007.

Speaking exclusively to this masthead to promote the Indigenous v Maori All Stars clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on February 16, Thurston backed the Cowboys co-captains to lead the club into the future.

“I think it’s a great move that the coach (Todd Payten) has made given the leadership roster up there is coming to the back end of their career,” Thurston said.

Johnathan Thurston rated the appointment of Cowboys co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter. Picture: Getty Images)

“It’s a big move but I’ve worked closely with those two boys at Origin level and at the Cowboys. They epitomise what the Cowboys are about as local grown products of the North.

“Having those two young boys (co-captains) around the players that we’ve got in the team, to pick their brains and see what they’ve done in the past and learn off them, but they certainly need to be their own captains.

“They are softly-spoken but when they speak everyone listens. We just need to make sure that leadership group can wrap their arms around them and guide them in the right way.

“The Cowboys will be looking good having those two boys lead us into the future.”

Tom Dearden will be 50 days younger than Thurston when he leads the Cowboys for the first time. Picture: Getty Images

Thurston was exactly 50 days younger than Dearden when he first led the club onto the NRL battlefield so is uniquely qualified to understand the task ahead of the rookie co-captain in the halves.

Like Dearden, Thurston was charged with leading a team that also contained former captains in Paul Bowman and Aaron Payne.

‘JT’ declared the presence of Jason Taumalolo, Chad Townsend and Jordan McLean would be invaluable to Dearden’s smooth transition.

Reuben Cotter will lead the Cowboys alongside Tom Dearden. Picture: Getty Images

“I was the youngest captain in the NRL when I was announced but having guys like Paul Bowman and Aaron Payne still a part of the team, and Matty Bowen and Ty Williams, I really leaned on them to help me with leadership,” Thurston said.

“Being the youngest you’re talking to players who have played over 150 games for the club so coming across as a leader can be a little bit daunting.

“When you need to have tough conversations you need to lean on those experienced boys to help you deliver that message.

Johnathan Thurston and teammate Aaron Payne in 2008. Picture: Townsville Bulletin

“It’s an exciting time for Tommy and no doubt it will be a big challenge for those two boys but the leadership around them will be able to take that burden off their shoulders a little bit.”

A fierce competitor, Thurston famously found new gears in attack when he felt slighted - by opponents or an unkind referee’s whistle.

After 128 games by Jason Taumalolo’s side, Thurston said that same personality trait was present in the veteran forward.

He believed the demotion from the captaincy could unlock the beast again in Taumalolo.

“I’m sure it would have been a shock to begin with but Jase just needs to do the talking with his actions on the footy field,” Thurston said.

“There’s going to be things that go against you … That’s a part of rugby league but the way you react is extremely important to the playing group.”

Originally published as Johnathan Thurston’s verdict on Cowboys shock captaincy switch