Johnathan Thurston nails Paul Gallen in secret Channel 9 stitch-up

NRL great Johnathan Thurston got his longtime State of Origin rival “hook, line and sinker” with a hilarious prank on Channel 9.

Johnathan Thurston stitched up Paul Gallen. Picture: Channel 9

Johnathan Thurston will never tire of recording victories over Paul Gallen.

The Queensland legend enjoyed another win in the one-sided rivalry with his longtime Origin nemesis in a hilarious moment on Channel 9.

The stitch-up began with Thurston revealing: “Gal and I have our differences, and we have some good banter, but I just wanted to show this message he gave me. He fully loves me.”

He then played a video where Gallen spoke in the most glowing terms about the former Maroons halfback.

“Hey there Johnno, it’s Paul Gallen here,” Gallen said.

“You’ve been working very, very hard lately. You’re always on time. You’ve always got a big smile on your face. You’re very, very health conscious and you’re always putting in 100 per cent effort at work, no matter what.

“You’re very inspiring mate, well done on being such a terrific role model for the rest of the work group to strive to be.

“You should be very, very proud of yourself so well done.

“You know what annoys me about people like you though, I’ve been told you’re also the best looking person in the department.

“Now listen, it’s not fair you get to have it all. You’re a hard worker, a very diligent worker, but you’re also the best looking.

“You’ve got all the looks and all the brains, that is very frustrating for people like me. You know what? It’s not fair, mate. You get everything go your own way. The looks, the brains, everything. I’m sure you’ve got the brawn too.

“Mate, well done on the job you’re doing at work. You should be very proud of yourself and I wish you all the best.”

Paul Gallen saw the funny side. Picture: Channel 9

Amid laughter from Thurston’s longtime teammate Cameron Smith, Gallen revealed he had recorded the video on a platform where famous athletes are paid to send messages to fans.

“I sent it,” he said. “I had no idea it was Johnno.”

Making matters worse, it’s not the first time Gallen has apparently fallen victim to a former Maroons rival on the platform.

“I actually got stitched up the other day. There was one for ‘Nate’. I sort of sensed it was a stitch-up, so I did a very quick ‘mate, I hope you’re doing well’, but it was like 10 seconds. And sure enough, it was a stitch-up.

“So I got away with that one. But this one got me hook, line and sinker. I had absolutely no idea. Well done, JT.”