Thurston's stellar representative career
Following the news Johnathan Thurston's season has been ended by injury, we look at the champion Queenslander's incredible representative career.
Thurston rep career highlights:
2005
Debuts for the Cowboys in round one against the Broncos. Cements status as starting halfback and earns first Qld Origin jersey.
Named halfback of the year and awarded Dally M medal but endures heartbreaking loss to Wests Tigers in the NRL grand final.
2006
Earns first Australia cap for the Kangaroos’ 2006 ANZAC Test against New Zealand.
Plays a key role in the Maroons’ Origin series win, helping Qld come from a game down to beat NSW 2-1.
Recovers from mid-season injury to help Australia win Tri-Nations tournament, setting up Darren Lockyer for match-winning try in golden point.
2007
Appointed Cowboys captain before going on to claim ‘halfback of the year’ honours and a second and Dally M medal in the space of three years.
Once again instrumental for the Maroons in the 2-1 Origin series win but undergoes two shoulder reconstructions at end of season.
2008
Makes surprise appearance in round one of the NRL season following surgery.
Named player of the Origin series after steering Qld to 16-10 win in deciding game at ANZ Stadium.
Plays key role for Australia as Kangaroos go down to New Zealand 34-20 in World Cup final.
2009
Stars for Kangaroos in 38-10 win over New Zealand in ANZAC test, before guiding Maroons to historic fourth straight Origin series win.
Plays 100th match for Cowboys and once again named ‘halfback of the year’, only to be pipped by Jarryd Hayne for Dally M medal.
Finishes top point-scorer in Four Nations tournament for Kangaroos.
2010
Selected at halfback for inaugural Indigenous All Stars match and named man-of-the-match in 16-12 win.
Earns third Origin man-of-the-match award in Origin game one, helping the Maroons claim a fifth straight series win. Touted as Qld’s greatest halfback.
2011
Helps Australia claim another ANZAC Test win against New Zealand.
Suffers serious injury in Origin game three – a record 21st consecutive appearance for the Maroons. Fortunately scans reveal he does not require surgery.
Returns for Cowboys only to be eliminated from finals series but claims three man-of-the-match awards for Australia as Kangaroos win Four Nations tournament in England. Ends season with Golden Boot Award.
2012
Plays 150th match for Cowboys before leading Australia to 20-12 win over Kiwis in ANZAC Test.
Helps Maroons win a 7th consecutive Origin series and named five-eighth of the year at Dally M awards.
2013
Signs what was at the time the richest deal in league history with the Cowboys, before guiding Queensland to an eighth straight Origin series win.
Chalks up 200th NRL match before bowing out in first week of finals with Cowboys.
Named man-of-the-match in the World Cup final against New Zealand (his fourth of the tournament) as Kangaroos smash Kiwis 34-2. Passes Mick Cronin’s record of 309 points for Australia.
2014
Wins second Golden Boot award in three years, before breaking Mal Meninga’s Origin record of 161 points during Maroons’ series defeat.
Claims third Dally M medal (joint-winner with Jarryd Hayne), named five-eighth of the year and wins Proven-Summons medal.
2015
Steers Cowboys to club record 11 straight wins before playing key role in Maroons’ 2-1 Origin series win.
Becomes first man to claim four Dally M medals, winning by record 11-point margin.
Kicks winning field-goal to give Cowboys first premiership win, named Clive Churchill medal winner and takes out third Golden Boot award.
2016
Plays 250th match for Cowboys before going on to help Queensland claim a 2-1 series win in the Origin series against the Blues. Announces 2017 will be last year in rep footy.
Instrumental in Kangaroos’ 34-8 win over New Zealand in Four Nations final.
2017
Kicks winning goal for Queensland in Origin game two to level series with Blues. Origin III swansong dashed after he suffers season-ending shoulder injury during match.