North Queensland Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston inducted into NRL Hall of Fame

North Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston has been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, among an epic line-up of players across some phenomenal eras of rugby league. SEE THE LIST

Johnathan Thurston has been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

North Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston has been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, among “the best of the best” across some phenomenal eras of rugby league.

The four-time Dally M Medallist joins some iconic players in the Class of 2024, including Lionel Morgan, the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in any major code; Cameron Smith, who holds the record for most NRL matches by an individual (430) and Sam Burgess, who becomes the first England representative to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

“What an amazing group of players,” ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said.

“All different, all deserving in their own right. This list of players includes some of the toughest, the most talented, the greatest players of their generations.”

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys in 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The inductions were confirmed following a meeting of the Hall of Fame Committee in July.

Mr V’landys said the group were tasked with selecting a large group based on the last induction into the playing Hall of Fame being in 2019.

“I’m in awe of this group of players and what they have each done in the game and for the game,” Mr V’landys said.

“This is the best of the best across several phenomenal eras. The group is full of Premiership winners, Dally M Medal winners, Clive Churchill Medal winners, Australia, New Zealand and England representatives.

“There are brilliant halves, powerful and durable forwards and gifted outside backs. All of these players are exceptional.”

Johnathan Thurston farewells fans as he celebrates his last NRL match after the round 25 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

JT played an epic 323 NRL games including 37 State of Origins during his career, scoring 90 tries, 16 field goals and a mammoth 923 goals.

Part of the premiership-winning Bulldogs as a 21-year-old in 2004, Thurston headed north and steered the Cowboys into their maiden grand final which they lost to the Wests Tigers.

The footy legend played 294 games for North Queensland, including their best season yet in 2015 when they beat the Brisbane Broncos thanks to JT’s golden point field goal.

Thurston also represented Australia 38 times, an integral cog in the 2013 World Cup-winning Kangaroos side.

In the years since he retired, JT hasn’t been far from a footy field as part of his NRL commentating duties. He’s also a prominent indigenous and community advocate in the Townsville and North Queensland community.

Former North Queensland Cowboys player Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Others inducted in the Hall of Fame include Les Boyd, Ben Elias, Steve Renouf, Billy Slater, Benji Marshall, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis.

The formal inductions will be made in a special ceremony on Wednesday, August 21 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston inducted into NRL Hall of Fame