Winner of Rugby League Players’ Association medal, Johnathan Thurston eyes Dally M treble

JOHNATHAN Thurston has clinched his third Rugby League Players’ Association medal. Now for a Dally M treble.

NQ Cowboys training at 1300Smiles stadium. Johnathan Thurston

JOHNATHAN Thurston has clinched his third Rugby League Players’ Association medal. Now for a Dally M treble.

The Cowboys superstar received a boost in the lead-up to his side’s sudden-death clash with the Roosters after being named best-and-fairest at the RLPA Awards on Tuesday night.

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It is the third time Thurston has claimed the gong after wins in 2005 and 2013, and perhaps a positive portent as he eyes a hat-trick of Dally M Medals.

The Maroons ace won the Dally M in 2005 and 2007 and will join Andrew Johns as a three-time recipient if he steals the show on Tuesday week at Star Casino.

Thurston was yesterday humbled by another accolade after staving off Eels sensation Jarryd Hayne and Maroons hopeful Anthony Milford for the RLPA’s top award.

“I was a little bit surprised but in my eyes it’s the highest honour you can get,” said Thurston, who was also named Australian representative player of the year.

“To be voted by your peers is very humbling and I have my teammates to thank for that, they have been outstanding which helps my game.”

Thurston admits he was shocked to claim the representative prize following Queensland’s first Origin series loss in nine years.

“That came as a big surprise, there are a lot of great players in that arena,” he said.

“I thought I’ve had better years through past seasons, but the players around me have been playing really good, Matty Scott has been great in the middle-third and the hookers and halves have made my job easier.”

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys gives his players a heated speech.

Thurston’s maiden Dally M triumph came in the same year the Cowboys qualified for their first grand final and he believes the club is well-placed to return to the big dance.

But the Test playmaker is not getting carried away, admitting the Cowboys face a daunting task toppling defending premiers the Roosters without suspended forward Tariq Sims.

“He’s a massive loss,” Thurston said.

“Tariq has been a big part of our team this year, it will be tough for us but we trained well (yesterday) and moving on from that.

“We know what we have to work on coming up against a formidable Roosters side, they have strikepower all over the park.

“We are better placed this time than the last two times in the finals. Everyone is a lot clearer on their role in the team, the boys are more experienced and know what it takes to win finals games.”