Johnathan Thurston’s talking tour a raging success, with some limb signings and some butt grabbing

Johnathan Thurston’s nationwide speaking tour has been a raging success, with some butt grabbing and prosthetic limb signings. Now the Cowboys great is flying in for some Brisbane fun.

Johnathan Thurston’s nationwide speaking tour has been a raging success.

The Cowboys champion concludes his tour with a finale in Brisbane this Sunday night and has been blown away to be greeted by packed venues, including a sellout in AFL-mad Perth.

Thurston has experienced some emotional and hilarious moments. He has been asked to sign fans’ prosthetic limbs and a grandmother grabbed his butt at the Townsville show, triggering his famous kookaburra laugh.

Johnathan Thurston has had some interesting experiences on his speaking tour, including a grandmother copping a feel of the Cowboys legend’s butt.

Past and present NRL stars Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Steve Price, Gavin Cooper and Willie Tonga have appeared on-stage. When Thurston discovered a woman was turning 40 at the Perth show, he sang happy birthday to her on stage.

The tour underlines Thurston’s remarkable evolution from his days as a young scallywag. He is now a genuine ambassador and man of the people.

100 lucky subscribers of The Courier-Mail have also secured the chance to see Thurston in the flesh for a candid sit-down chat this Sunday prior to his Brisbane show, with spots for the exclusive meet and greet exhausted in just 13 minutes.

AGENT OF CHANGE

The NRL is cracking down on player agents. Next Friday, the agents will formally sign new beefed-up contracts giving the NRL power to access all records, including confiscating mobile phones and computers if managers are suspected of salary-cap rorting. Several agents are furious, believing the NRL’s request to probe personal records is an invasion of privacy.

Jack Bird has linked with player managers Chris and Gavin Orr.

BIRD SPREADS WINGS

Broncos star Jack Bird has linked with one of the most powerful management firms in the NRL. Bird has joined Chris and Gavin Orr, who two years ago brokered the biggest deal in NRL history – a 10-year contract for Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo. They also look after Maroons ace Valentine Holmes, who recently announced his desire to pursue a career in the NFL. Bird has been training well in pre-season and is primed for a big year.

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan says Shannon Boyd’s injury is nothing to worry about.

INJURY NO BIG DEAL

Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan insists big-money recruit Shannon Boyd is not stuck in an injury rut.

Boyd has been on a restricted training program for the past few weeks due to a groin injury.

Weighing 130kg, Boyd has been unable to run and has instead been riding a stationary bike on the sidelines.

● BIG, BIG SIGNING: Pangai joins Lodge with new contract

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The Titans have splashed out more than $500,000-a-season on the former Kangaroos prop and Brennan said he wanted to ensure his star signing was fit for the start of the season.

“He’s such a big body so we’ve got to monitor his loads,” he said.

“He had a break after his season and we’ve got to monitor him so we don’t throw him in too early and brake him.

“He’s come along really well. He’s settled into the Gold Coast well. He loves it up here.

“We’ve got to be careful with Shannon and all of our players to be honest.”

Titans halfback Ash Taylor has also been on restricted training duties this week as he manages a minor injury.

Journalist Hedley Thomas is the brother of Titans boss Rebecca Frizelle.

FAMILY PRIDE

There were few prouder club owners in the NRL this week than the Gold Coast’s Rebecca Frizelle – and her pride had nothing to do with the Titans.

Frizelle is the sister of News Corporation investigative journalist Hedley Thomas, the brains behind the hugely popular The Teacher’s Pet podcast.

Thomas’ work led to NSW Police reopening the investigation in the disappearance of Lynette Dawson 30 years ago.

Former Newtown Jets player Chris Dawson was arrested on the Gold Coast on Wednesday and extradited to NSW yesterday to be charged with his wife’s murder.

Scott McLaughlin has been living the high life since his Supercars victory.

SUPERCARS ACE CELEBRATES

SUPERCARS championship winner Scott McLaughlin celebrated his maiden title in style.

McLaughlin claimed a breakthrough championship win in the final round of the series at Newcastle late last month.

His Yalata-based outfit DJR Team Penske celebrated with a boat cruise on the Gold Coast broadwater and spent a few days toasting their victory.

McLaughlin then returned home to New Zealand to celebrate his title with family and friends last week.

He has made the most of what was a remarkable achievement to hold off fellow Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen in the back end of the year.

GUESS WHO

WHICH former Australian Test cricketer could replace sacked high performance chief Pat Howard? He was a hugely popular player and would be a great appointment.

Originally published as Johnathan Thurston’s talking tour a raging success, with some limb signings and some butt grabbing