Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston says Cronulla’s NRL triumph was too painful to watch

JOHNATHAN Thurston is reconsidering retirement plans and vowed to win another premiership after revealing the pain of last year’s grand final nearly reduced him to tears.

North Queensland Cowboys Johnathan Thurston all smiles at the NRL premiership launch in Martin Place, Sydney. Picture: Gregg Porteous

COWBOYS champion Johnathan Thurston is considering extending his career until 2019, revealing the pain of missing last year’s grand final pushed him to breaking point.

The Maroons maestro says he isn’t satisfied with his 2015 premiership heroics and wants to deliver another title to North Queensland in his twilight years.

The 33-year-old is in preliminary talks with the Cowboys on a fresh 12-month extension and is widely expected to retire at the end of next season.

But the Maroons ace has not ruled out playing on in 2019, saying he is determined to help mentor the club’s emerging stars if co-captain Matt Scott is lost to the club.

Thurston wants his NRL trophy back. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Thurston will run out against Canberra in the season opener next week motivated by the Cowboys’ diabolic semi-final loss to Cronulla last season.

The Sharks went on to claim the NRL crown from the Cowboys and Thurston admits Cronulla’s grand final triumph was so painful he nearly cried in his backyard.

“To be honest, I couldn’t watch the grand final,” he said. “I tried to watch it. It was just the way we lost against the Sharks, it still burns me.

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“I started watching it, they kicked off and it just hit me like a ton of bricks.

“We had a few friends at home. I went and sat outside. I was close to crying. I had some good mates playing in that game, but I just couldn’t watch it.

“I couldn’t put my finger on why I was so emotional, but when I look back, it was the way we played against the Sharks — it wasn’t us.

“It’s definitely motivation for me. The fire still burns, 100 per cent.

“I want another ring, it drives me. I know it’s a long season and things don’t always go your way, you are under pressure and it’s a rollercoaster, but I’m here to win another premiership.”

Thurston is considering extending his career another season. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

A veteran of 292 NRL games, Thurston intends to retire next season, but a confluence of forces could see him soldier on beyond his 35th birthday in 2019.

Thurston will retire from representative football after this year’s World Cup and believes a singular focus on the Cowboys could buy his body another year in the NRL.

And with Scott weighing up a possible $2.5 million move to the Knights, Thurston is reluctant to see the collapse of a Cowboys club he turned into a force.

“I haven’t spoken to Greeny about this, but there’s a chance I could go on,” he said.

“At this stage, 2018 could be the end, but when I don’t play Origin footy (next year), depending how the body is, there is a possibility I will go around again in 2019.

“It would be extremely sad (if Scott left). A few of the boys are in their early 30s, but we have a great junior system that keeps producing talent and we need to keep that on track.

“That (mentoring the next generation) is certainly a factor for me. I love the club and what they have done for me, so playing on (in 2019) could be a possibility if it came up.”