North Queensland avoided the wooden spoon — now to farewell Johnathan Thurston with a win
IT all got a bit emotional for Johnathan Thurston’s last game in Townsville last week — but the Cowboys are adamant they still have fire the belly to send JT out a winner.
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COWBOYS coach Paul Green has denied the emotion of Johanthan Thurston’s Townsville farewell has taken its toll on the playing group, claiming they are ready for the final goodbye on Saturday.
The North Queensland star’s long farewell tour will reach its end this weekend, when Thurston plays his final NRL game against the Titans on the Gold Coast.
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While the Cowboys were not able to send Thurston out with a fairytale finish this year after failing to make the top eight, they have stepped up in recent weeks and gave him the perfect finale to his time in Townsville with a 44-6 thrashing of the Eels.
The emotion was evident last Friday night and the Cowboys will need that again this Saturday if they are to hand their champion halfback one last victory.
And Green believes his side can do just that, denying that the emotion of the win over Parramatta would have drained the playing group.
“It’s only one game,” Green said.
“The boys, if they are feeling any effects, it’s been a long turnaround since last week’s game … there’s plenty of time for recovery.
“Given we all know it’s one game, I’ll be surprised if we don’t get up for it again.
“The players did a really good job last week of making sure they prepared really well but also enjoyed the occasion as well. It’s a blueprint for us this week.
“(Thurston) is enjoying it. While there will always be a touch of sadness when the curtain finally draws close, he’s also looking forward to the next part of his life too.”
The Cowboys are also searching for their first back-to-back wins this season in what Green said would be a “nice way to finish” the season.
Green made two changes from last week’s winning side, with young half Jake Clifford returning to the Intrust Super Cup for the Northern Pride’s finals charge.
Te Maire Martin (ankle) will return from injury in Clifford’s place, with Ben Hampton to retain his spot at fullback.
Martin has to pass a training test on Wednesday to be given the all-clear, but Green said he did not expect any issues.
Shaun Fensom also makes his way back into the 17 with Francis Molo dropping off the bench.
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Originally published as North Queensland avoided the wooden spoon — now to farewell Johnathan Thurston with a win