Johnathan Thurston reveals why he doesn't want to enter the world of politics

It’s not the first time Johnathan Thurston has been questioned on whether he has any political aspirations, but the rugby league legend finally revealed the reason he won’t head down that path.

Johnathan Thurston at the Property Congress, hosted by the Property Council of Australia during a Q and A session with Jess Caire at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, October 24, 2024.

The king of the north has revealed his reason for steering clear of politics at a national property event in Townsville this week.

Queensland rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston took the stage at the Property Congress on Thursday afternoon in a Q&A session with Jess Caire from the Property Council of Australia.

Towards the back end of the 40-minute interview, in which the two discussed Mr Thurston’s rugby league career, family, advocacy work and connection to his Indigenous culture, Ms Caire posed the question of whether he would ever enter the world of politics.

“Definitely not,” Mr Thurston said.

Johnathan Thurston at the Property Congress, hosted by the Property Council of Australia during a Q and A session with Jess Caire at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, October 24, 2024.

“I’m really enjoying my life at the moment. The struggle for me at the moment is that work-life balance.”

Since retiring from NRL in 2018, Mr Thurston has worn many different hats, including working with Channel Nine and founding the Johnathan Thurston Academy, which supports young Australians through employment, education and wellbeing programs.

Mr Thurston said that his work frequently takes him to Brisbane and Sydney, which makes it difficult to spend the time he wants with his family.

“It’s just trying to find that work-life balance now because I’ve missed so much of the girls (lives),” he said.

“I do school drop-offs and pick-ups; pick-ups are the best … when they come running out and just grab your leg and give me the biggest hug. It’s the best thing in the world.”

“Given the journey that Samantha and I went on to have kids, it’s the best, it’s the best part of your life … so I want to try and spend more time at home.”

Ms Caire went on to ask a lighthearted question about whether Mr Thurston thought former NRL referee turned politician Tim Mander was better at his new role compared to his previous one on the footy field.

Mr Thurston used the opportunity to take a humorous swipe at Mr Mander after he refused a try to the Bulldogs back in the early 2000s.

“Just award the try, mate. It’s 2005, we score on the corner, and he sends it upstairs, and they take the try off us,” he said.

“I don’t know if he’s a better politician, though.”

Originally published as Johnathan Thurston reveals why he doesn't want to enter the world of politics