Johnathan Thurston to be awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters

JOHNATHAN Thurston can add ‘Doctor’ to his long list of titles after he was bestowed one of James Cook University’s highest honours.

No joke: Thurston becomes ‘Doctor JT’

UPDATE: JOHNATHAN Thurston has backed Cowboys coach Paul Green to take over the Queensland Origin duties, saying “fresh ideas” would be good for the mighty Maroons.

Thurston was on Wednesday presented with a Honorary Doctor of Letters by James Cook University in Townsville for his “outstanding service and exceptional contributions” to the north Queensland community.

The four-time Dally M medallist can now call himself a “Doctor” and one field he’s extremely experienced in is State of Origin.

Thurston has played all 33 games of the past 11 series, including the 30 matches during Mal Meninga’s record-breaking reign as coach.

Meninga recently stepped away from the Queensland duties to take up the Kangaroos post and the Queensland Rugby League has made Green their first-choice replacement after he guided the Cowboys to a breakthrough premiership this year.

The decision to overlook Meninga’s long-term assistant Kevin Walters has been met with mixed reactions but Thurston said Green could successfully juggle both roles.

“He gets the best out of his players,” Thurston said.

“He’s a great football brain and more importantly a great bloke. If he takes that job on there’s no doubt he’ll do a great one.

“Organising things is certainly his strong point. He could handle (both jobs).

“He’s a great people manager and there’s no doubt he could handle it.”

Meninga presided over an incredibly successful tenure, implementing a “pick and stick” policy with his players.

He also rarely changed up his coaching staff but Thurston said a shake-up of the off-field department could further strengthen the Maroons.

“It’s pretty much the same squad that we’ve had for a number of years,” he said.

“He’ll be able to continue that and bring in fresh ideas as well.

“We’ve had the same coaching staff for the last 10 years. Fresh ideas would be good.”

Thurston has had an incredible season, winning his second NRL title, ninth Origin series for Queensland and third Golden Boot award.

“Standing here caps the year off,” he said of his academic award.

“I couldn’t be happier.”

Thurston joins a long list of notable sporting identities who have been awarded honorary degrees including:

John Eales

Greg Norman

Cathy Freeman

Susie O’Neill

Kieren Perkins

Ian Thorpe

Evonne Goolagong-Cawley

Mark Taylor

John Newcombe

Ric Charlesworth

Andrew Demetriou

Originally published as Johnathan Thurston to be awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters