Johnathan Thurston says he will ‘pack his boots’ for Sunday’s grand final

JOHNATHAN Thurston will bring his boots to the grand final but unlike Matt Scott, Thurston is resigned to watching from the sidelines.

Johnathan Thurston looks on as the Cowboys warm up ahead of the NRL Preliminary Final between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, September 23, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

NORTH Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston will bring his boots to Sunday’s grand final but unlike fellow skipper Matt Scott, Thurston is resigned to watching from the sidelines.

Thurston scuttled any suggestions he was in line for a fairy-tale comeback but said he still had a major role to play ahead of the Cowboys showdown with Melbourne.

“I’ll pack my boots,” Thurston laughed. “I ride the rollercoaster like the fans do. It’s no surprise to me that this playing group has put the club into this position. I’ve seen it day in day out what they do.

“I’ll be trying to get in there (this week) with a spring in my step. Talk to the boys a lot. Go to meetings and making sure that I still have a voice there.”

Thurston has missed the back half of the season with a shoulder injury.

Thurston’s wild emotions sitting near coach Paul Green in the coach’s box have been on display throughout the finals series. Having dominated at the top level for more than a decade, Thurston said he gets more nervous watching on from the sidelines than preparing for a big game.

While he has been entrenched as part of the coaching staff since his season ended after Origin II, Thurston has no aspirations to pursue the role when he retires

“Hell no,” Thurston said.

“No chance. You’ve got to be a special breed of person to become a head coach.

“I’m enjoying the role that I’m playing now. It’s been able to put my mind into another direction. The club comes first and I’m enjoying that role.

“I definitely (get more nervous) sitting on the sidelines. I wasn’t too bad (on Saturday night).

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“Last week I was a bit more nervous. I was really calm and relaxed. The boys had a good week at training and have been playing good footy so it’s no surprise to me.”

Come Sunday, Thurston will have experienced the highs and lows of grand final injuries.

He won his first title as a Bulldog in 2004 when Canterbury skipper Steve Price was injured while this week it is his turn to be a bystander.

“That’s what happens in footy,” Thurston said.

Thurston has acted as an unofficial assistant coach during his injury lay-off.

“I’m not the only one to have had to sit out a grand final. Smithy (Cameron Smith) missed one through suspension and there are other players who have missed grand finals.

“I’m making sure I’m putting my energy into the right areas and making sure the boys prepare well.”

Part of his work has been helping develop his No. 7 replacement Michael Morgan into a world class player.

Thurston said he was “extremely proud” of what Morgan has achieved.

“That’s one lad in the team I’m really excited about,” Thurston said. “It’s really important for him to play his own role and his own game and not try and fill my shoes.

“That’s what I’ve always been speaking to him about. Stamp your authority on the team and play your role and your game. His game has gone to another level.

“He is in career best form. It’s an insight into the future of the club.”