Cowboys beat Raiders 21-20 as Johnathan Thurston kicks a last-gasp field goal for victory

GENIUS. Freak. Champion. Immortal. We have run out of superlatives for Johnathan Thurston, so call him whatever you want and more.

Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Cowboys Jonathan Thurston breaks thru

GENIUS. Freak. Champion. Immortal. We have run out of superlatives for Johnathan Thurston, so call him whatever you want and more.

The Maroons ace overcame a torrid Origin affair, a shoulder injury and his nephew being hospitalised to produce another moment of magic to sink the Raiders 21-20.

In one of the games of the season at GIO Stadium, Thurston turned Houdini again, snapping a field-goal on the full-time siren to crush Canberra and clinch the Cowboys’ 11th consecutive victory.

Jonathan Thurston celebrates after kicking the match-winning field goal.

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The Raiders were arguably the better team and looked set for a boilover when Jarrod Croker landed a penalty, after Thurston took out Jordan Rapana, to level scores 20-all three minutes from time.

But Thurston atoned for his sins, showing nerves of steel to drive home the victorious one-pointer amid a frantic finish in which his previous two attempts were charged down.

The three-time Dally M winner has broken more hearts than Don Juan Demarco in his career but this was the ultimate kick in the guts for the Green Machine.

Thurston had every right to stand down. The day after Origin II, he was so knackered he slept 15 hours.

He even wore added padding on his damaged left shoulder on Saturday afternoon, but when coach Paul Green asked if he desired a break, Thurston wanted no respite.

Matt Scott was also back in action after Origin II.

The champion playmaker, who later paid tribute to his sick nephew, admitted that was only one factor driving his determination to face the Raiders.

“I have been disappointed with the way I’ve backed up from Origin in the past,” he said.

“The Newcastle game last year (a 36-28 defeat) was one of the worst games I’ve ever played.

“I was really keen on making sure I could do my job, I really cared about this team and that’s what I was about.”

Thurston’s match-winner typified his iceman qualities.

The finale was pure chaos. With 60 seconds to play, Thurston had his first field-goal attempt blocked. The Cowboys secured the rebound. Thurston then had another crack, only for the Raiders to deny him again.

But with four seconds to play, Thurston made it third-time lucky, driving the nail into Canberra’s coffin from right in front as Cowboys players went berserk.

“It was just frantic at the end,” he said. “I got charged down twice, it was good composure by the boys to stay in the grind.

“To my nephew Mason who is in hospital, I’ll see you in a few weeks, I love ya.”

The Raiders were disconsolate after JT’s decisive kick.

Missing Michael Morgan (shoulder), the Cowboys led 8-6 at half-time, but the second half became a thriller as the lead changed hands three times.

Cowboys hooker Jake Granville and prop James Tamou were also superb, but Thurston illustrated the Power of One.

“I’m really proud of our three Origin guys, they showed that they care about the team, it was a huge effort,” coach Green said.

“I was certainly considering not playing JT, but he got a good night’s sleep ... I’m glad he got out of bed on the right side.”