North Queensland Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston turns coach in hunt for NRL title

HE HAS won Origin crowns, a World Cup and Dally M Medals, but Johnathan Thurston is now driven by hopes of an NRL title.

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys.

HE HAS won Origin crowns, a World Cup and Dally M Medals, but Johnathan Thurston admits breaking North Queensland’s 19-year title drought is the driving force in his twilight years.

Such is Thurston’s desire to achieve the feat, the champion pivot has personally delivered a crash course to Michael Morgan to unearth his new fullback partner in crime.

Once Thurston’s halves partner, Morgan may have found his niche in the No.1 jumper vacated by Matt Bowen after terrorising the ­Titans in his side’s 28-12 trial win on Saturday night.

Cowboys coach Paul Green consulted Thurston about the positional gamble last week after Bowen’s planned successor, Lachlan Coote, tore his ACL at the Auckland Nines.

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Former halfback Morgan had never trained at fullback, but Thurston was so determined for the tactic to succeed he spent the week preparing the 22-year-old for his backfield baptism.

Morgan responded with a man-of-the-match display, and Thurston believes the pair can forge the attacking ­alliance that made him and Bowen one of the NRL’s most dangerous pairings.

“The coaching staff spoke to a few of us about it,” said Thurston, who had a hand in three tries, including Morgan’s final four-pointer to sink the Titans in Toowoomba.

“I did a bit of extra work with Morgo during the week on a few things and he’s like a sponge, he took it all in and he was really good out there.

“He’s a huge benefit for us. It was very disappointing for Cootey with his injury, but Morgo was great at fullback.

“Zac Santo and Javid Bowen can play there as well, but Morgo is a real talent.”

News_Rich_Media: Paul Kent and Ben Ikin from NRL 360 give their verdict on the North Queensland Cowboys' chances in 2014.

A Morgan-Thurston partnership could be a key plank in the Cowboys’ quest for a maiden premiership.

For the first time in nearly a decade the Maroons ace must call the shots without the aid of Bowen, the freakish fullback dynamo who eased the attacking burden on Thurston.

Two months shy of his 31st birthday, Thurston accepts time is running out to bring a maiden title to Townsville.

For all his personal successes and representative honours, the Test star says there is unfinished business in his pursuit of a premiership ring after the Cowboys’ 2005 grand final loss.

“It (winning the premiership) drives you, that’s why we play the game,” he said.

“If it doesn’t happen, I don’t think that will define me as a player and what I’ve done.

“But I’d love to win it, there is no doubt about that, that’s what everyone’s goal is.”