Johnathan Thurston’s final game is a monumental oversight by the NRL
WITH Johnathan Thurston’s fairytale finals finish stamped out by poor form, the NRL had the chance to have his final game played in front of feverish Townsville fans. Instead he’ll be playing 1400km away.
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THE Gold Coast Titans knocked back an approach from Suncorp Stadium to move Johnathan Thurston’s last NRL game to Brisbane.
The fact that was even an option reveals a monumental oversight by the NRL.
Last year, when the NRL received scheduling requests for its 2018 draw from clubs, the North Queensland Cowboys made their intentions clear.
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The club wanted to play its final game of the regular season at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
The Cowboys knew they would be bidding farewell to a club champion in Thurston this year.
They hoped Thurston’s last game in Cowboys colours would come some time during the finals series, ideally in the grand final.
But nothing can be taken for granted and the Cowboys would have always planned Thurston’s farewell for Round 25, regardless of their position on the ladder.
As it has turned out, fairytales don’t always come true and the Cowboys will not play finals football this season.
That means Thurston’s last appearance in the NRL will be against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
That is 1400km from Thurston’s town where he is worshipped and will retire.
Instead of a final round farewell, the Cowboys are planning to send off Thurston during North Queensland’s Round 24 clash against Parramatta.
Sadly, that game could double as a playoff for the dreaded wooden spoon.
The Titans have been an innocent party in this scheduling mess.
There has been suggestions the Titans should forfeit their home game and play it in Townsville.
The club briefly considered that as it battled to secure a tenancy agreement with Stadiums Queensland, but ultimately landed a long-term arrangement to remain at Cbus.
Sensing an opportunity, Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham approached the Titans about the prospect of playing the game in Brisbane to potentially attract a bigger crowd.
The idea was hit on the head by the Titans, who rightfully deserve to finish their season at home.
“The game is not being played in Townsville,” Titans CEO Graham Annesley said yesterday.
“It will be at Cbus Super Stadium.
“There was never any prospect of the game going to Townsville.
“There has been no serious consideration of any other options. The game was scheduled at Cbus and it’s happening at Cbus.”
The Cowboys faithful will farewell Thurston with a fitting send-off but it will not be the same for him to walk off Cbus Super Stadium in his final NRL game.
To their credit, the Titans are going an extra mile to ensure the four-time Dally M Medal winner gets the farewell he deserves.
“The interest has been building steadily over the last month as it’s looked more likely that the Cowboys wouldn’t make the finals and it’s become more obvious that’s likely to be his last game,” Annesley said.
“We will do everything we possibly can to ensure his contribution to the game is recognised, even though it’s our home game.”
At least the Titans picked up on the NRL’s oversight to give a champion of the game a farewell he deserves.
Originally published as Johnathan Thurston’s final game is a monumental oversight by the NRL