Gold Coast Titans coach’s son among Johnathan Thurston’s biggest fans

THE Titans are adamant they can spoil Johnathan Thurston’s retirement party but even the opposition coach’s family won’t begrudge him a fairytale finish.

THE Titans are adamant they can rain on the parade of retiring legend Johnathan Thurston at Cbus Super Stadium tonight but there are few in the crowd that would begrudge the Cowboys captain a fairytale finish — the coach’s family among them.

Thurston’s career finish on the Gold Coast is a neat symmetry, given the 35-year-old played in the first game held at the new Robina stadium in 2008 after an early comeback from shoulder surgery.

A decade later, he will end his career on the same turf, with only fellow Cowboy Matt Scott — who came off the bench in that Round 1 clash — remaining from either side’s line-up.

Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan’s son Guy will be cheering on dad’s side tonight but when the hooter sounds, he will revert to a JT fan.

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Johnathan Thurston scores a try against the Titans’ in the first game held at Robina — then Skilled Stadium — in 2008.

Having grown up around footy clubs and players, it’s second nature for Guy Brennan to hang out with players — and he is unfazed by some of the biggest names in the game. But the 12-year-old is a massive Thurston fan and scored a souvenir any fan would covet, with Thurston recently handing over a pair of State of Origin boots to the youngster.

It’s a mark of the man and one that has not been lost on Brennan Junior, who is among a legion of fans set to farewell the legend tonight.

“For me, words can’t describe how good Johnathan Thurston is, not just on the field but off the field as well,” Brennan said.

“My son idolises Johnathan Thurston. He’s been around NRL his whole life and mixed with NRL players his whole life but one guys he’s star struck with is JT.

“And that sums up the person and the player that he is and the effect that he has on our young supporters.

“Add that’s what this game needs. We don’t have enough of those people in our game. We hear all about the bad stuff that players do — and when they do something wrong it’s front page headlines. But it’s the other stuff that players do (that matters) and Johnathan Thurston is a shining light in that area.”

Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston gets the ball rolling in the first game held at Robina stadium.

For the record, the Titans won that 2008 clash 36-18, with Gold Coast debutant Jordan Atkins scoring four tries.

But Thurston racked up two tries and three goals of his own — and a decade later will be a danger man again in the final game of his career.