State of Origin Johnathan Thurston: JT says Maroons career over

JOHNATHAN Thurston has put an end to speculation surrounding a possible State of Origin comeback after coming to terms with his shoulder injury.

Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Evan Morgan

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JOHNATHAN Thurston has put an end to speculation surrounding a possible State of Origin comeback, declaring his Queensland career is over.

Thurston will sit in the coaches box at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, during what was supposed to be his final Maroons appearance as a player.

A season-ending shoulder injury killed his fairytale farewell after Thurston decided earlier this year that 2017 would be his final season as a representative player.

Johnathan Thurston attended the Queensland State of Origin team training session at Sanctuary Cove on Sunday. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Before he underwent shoulder surgery, Thurston said: “If I got the call from the coach, I would probably consider it (an Origin return in 2018).”

But the 37-game Maroons legend has confirmed he will not be heading down that path after coming to terms with his injury.

“I think that was just the emotion getting the better of me thinking about it,” Thurston told The Courier-Mail.

“I’m at ease with the ­decision I’ve made to retire from representative football,” he said.

“We’ve got a great crop of halves coming through that have been biding their time for a while. It’s their turn to take over in the Maroons jersey. We have just been caretakers of the jersey.”

Thurston, 34, joined Camp Maroon on Saturday and has been helping the team prepare for tonight’s series-deciding match.

He has been reluctant to make the game about himself, urging the Maroons to win for themselves and their state.

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While Thurston did not get the opportunity to go out on his terms, his final appearance for the Maroons was a memorable one.

Despite suffering a shoulder injury, he kicked a sideline conversion in the dying minutes to give Queensland an 18-16 win in Game Two and send the series to a decider.

Johnathan Thurston celebrates after kicking the winning conversion in Game 2.

At Maroons training on Sunday. Pictures: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images; Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Thurston will dedicate his sole focus to a final season with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2018.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters said he would not stand in Thurston’s way if he decided he wanted to play one last series for Queensland.

“Knowing John­athan, he will come back next year ripe and ready to go for the Cowboys,” Walters said.

“If that was his last game for Queensland, it’s a great memory for him to keep.

“If he wants to come back and play next year, we’re not going to close the door on him.

“If he feels he can handle Origin, we’re not going to stop him.”