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Johnathan Thurston
AM

Personal information

Full name

Johnathan Dean Thurston

Born

25 April 1983 (age 43)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Playing information

Height

179 cm (5 ft 101⁄2 in)

Weight

89 kg (14 st 0 lb)

Position

Halfback, Five-eighth

Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2002–04	Canterbury Bulldogs	29	10	0	0	40
2005–18	North Qld Cowboys	294	80	923	16	2182
	Total	323	90	923	16	2222
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2005–17	Queensland	37	5	99	2	220
2006–17	Australia	38	13	165	0	382
2009	Prime Minister's XIII	1	0	7	0	14
2010–17	Indigenous All Stars	6	1	17	0	38

Johnathan Dean Thurston, born on April 25, 1983, is a famous Australian former professional rugby league player. He played in the top-level National Rugby League (NRL). Thurston was a star player for the Australian national team. He also represented Queensland in the exciting State of Origin games. He was also part of the Indigenous All Stars team.

Thurston played as a halfback (halfback) or five-eighth (five-eighth). He was also known for his amazing goal-kicking skills. After retiring as a player, Thurston became an assistant coach for the Queensland rugby league team in 2021.

Johnathan Thurston began his career with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. He helped them win the 2004 NRL premiership title. In 2005, he moved to the North Queensland Cowboys. He played in the Grand Final that same year. He also made his debut for Queensland in 2005. His Australian national team debut followed in 2006.

Thurston won the Wally Lewis Medal in 2008. This award is for the best player in the State of Origin series. In 2008, he was also named halfback for the Australian Aboriginal team of the century. He holds a special record for playing in all 24 games of Queensland's eight-year State of Origin winning streak. This streak lasted from 2006 to 2013. He played 36 consecutive Origin matches from his first game in 2005.

In 2015, Thurston set a new record for most points in State of Origin history. He achieved this during a big win against New South Wales. That same year, Thurston was a co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys. Alongside his teammate Matt Scott, he led the Cowboys to their first-ever NRL Premiership. He also won the Clive Churchill Medal for being the best player in that Grand Final.

Thurston made history in 2015 by becoming the first player to win the Dally M Medal four times. This award is for the NRL season's best player. Later that year, he became the first player to win the Golden Boot Award three times. This award recognizes the world's best player.

Johnathan Thurston's Early Life and Rugby Journey

Thurston was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His mother is from the Gunggari Indigenous Australian community. His father has New Zealand Māori and English heritage.

He started playing rugby league very young for Souths Sunnybank RLFC. When he was 12, Thurston signed a scholarship with the South Queensland Crushers. Later, he moved to Toowoomba and went to St. Mary's College. He excelled in both rugby league and rugby union there.

Even though he was a great player in school, many NRL clubs didn't want to sign him at 18. They thought he was too small. Eventually, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs signed him in 2001. He played for free at first. Soon after, Thurston was chosen for the Queensland Under-19 team.

Johnathan Thurston's Professional Playing Career

Starting with the Bulldogs (2002–2004)

Thurston made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002. He scored his first two NRL tries later that season. He played 7 games in his first year. His playing time was limited due to team rules.

In 2003, Thurston played in 15 matches and scored four tries.

In 2004, his final year with the Bulldogs, he was part of the team that won the Premiership. He came off the bench in the Grand Final win. Thurston gave his premiership ring to his teammate Steve Price. Price had helped him when he first moved to Sydney. Price then gave Thurston another ring in return. After this season, Thurston signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for 2005. He chose to represent Australia and Queensland over New Zealand.

Becoming a Star with the Cowboys (2005)

In 2005, Thurston joined the North Queensland Cowboys. This move to Queensland was a big moment in his career. He became the starting halfback for the Cowboys. His excellent play earned him his first Queensland State of Origin jersey. In his first Origin game, he was named Player's Player. He even kicked a field goal to send the game into extra time, which Queensland won.

Thurston won the Halfback of the Year award and the prestigious Dally M Medal in 2005. He led the Cowboys to their first-ever 2005 NRL Grand Final. The Cowboys lost the final, but it was a great start for Thurston. He played 26 matches, scored 5 tries, and kicked 28 goals that year.

International Debut and Origin Success (2006)

Thurston started the 2006 NRL season strongly, scoring three tries and kicking six goals in a big win. He made his international debut for Australia in the 2006 Anzac Test. He came off the bench in Australia's win against New Zealand. In the 2006 State of Origin series, Thurston was key to Queensland's series victory. He played in all three matches and kicked seven goals.

Later that year, Thurston recovered from a knee injury. He then played for the Prime Minister's XIII and joined the Australian squad for the Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. He was named Man of the Match in one game against New Zealand. In the Tri-Nations final, Thurston made a crucial play. This led to Darren Lockyer scoring the winning try for Australia in extra time.

Cowboys Captain and Second Dally M (2007)

Thurston in 2007

In 2007, Thurston became the Captain of the Cowboys. He continued to play for Australia in the 2007 Anzac Test. He was also named 'Man of the Match' in Game One of the 2007 State of Origin series. Under his leadership, the Cowboys had a much better season. They finished third on the ladder.

On September 4, 2007, Thurston won the Halfback of the Year and his second Dally M Medal Player of the Year Award. He played 25 matches, scored 10 tries, and kicked 78 goals for the Cowboys.

World Cup and Origin Hero (2008)

Thurston playing for Australia in the opening game of the 2008 World Cup against New Zealand. He was named man-of-the-match.

Thurston had shoulder surgery after the 2007 season. He made a quick return in Round 1 of the 2008 NRL season. In Round 3, he played his 100th NRL match. He was selected for Australia in the Centenary Test against New Zealand. In the deciding game of the 2008 State of Origin series, Thurston helped Queensland win the series. He was named the Wally Lewis Player of the Series.

Thurston was part of the Australian squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. In Australia's first match, he played very well and was named man-of-the-match. Australia reached the World Cup final but lost to New Zealand.

Continued Success and Awards (2009-2012)

Thurston (front) and Greg Inglis training with Queensland in 2009

In 2009, Thurston played for Australia in the 2009 Anzac Test. He also helped Queensland win their fourth consecutive State of Origin series. He played his 100th club match for the Cowboys that year. Thurston was named 'Halfback of the Year'. He also helped Australia win the 2009 Rugby League Four Nations tournament, where he was the top point-scorer.

In 2010, Thurston played for the first Indigenous All Stars team. He won the Preston Campbell Medal for being the best player. He was also named man-of-the-match in Game 1 of the 2010 State of Origin series. He played his 150th NRL career match that year.

In 2011, Thurston continued to play for the Indigenous All Stars and Australia. He suffered a knee injury during the 2011 State of Origin series. Despite this, he set a record for playing 21 consecutive Origin matches. He returned to help the Cowboys reach the finals. After the season, he won the Golden Boot Award for the world's best player.

In 2012, Thurston played his 150th club match for the Cowboys. He was named man-of-the-match in the 2012 Anzac Test. He helped Queensland win their seventh consecutive Origin series. He was also named the NRL's five-eighth of the year at the 2012 Dally M Awards.

Record-Breaking Achievements (2013-2015)

Thurston at Old Trafford during the 2013 RLWC Final

In 2013, Thurston signed a big contract to stay with the Cowboys. He played his 200th NRL career match. He helped Australia win the 2013 Anzac Test. He was also part of Queensland's eighth consecutive State of Origin series victory.

Thurston led the Cowboys to the finals that year. He then joined the Australian squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. In the World Cup final, he was named man-of-the-match. Australia won the World Cup, and Thurston broke the record for most test points for Australia.

In 2014, Thurston won his second Golden Boot Award. He was man-of-the-match in the 2014 Anzac Test. He played his 200th club match for the Cowboys. Thurston broke Mal Meninga's record for most points in State of Origin history. He finished the 2014 NRL season as a joint winner of the Dally M Player of the Year Award. This was his third Dally M award.

In 2015, Thurston played for the Indigenous All Stars again, and they won. The Cowboys started the season with some losses. However, they then went on a club-record 11-game winning streak. Thurston played in Queensland's 2015 State of Origin series win. On September 28, 2015, Thurston won his fourth Dally M Player of the Year Award. This was a new record. He also won Halfback of the Year and Captain of the Year.

On October 4, 2015, Thurston led the Cowboys to their first-ever NRL Premiership. In a thrilling Grand Final, he kicked a field goal in extra time to win the game. He was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for his outstanding performance. Later that year, he won his third Golden Boot Award.

Final Playing Years (2016-2018)

In 2016, Thurston helped the Cowboys win the 2016 World Club Challenge. He was named man of the match. He scored his 1000th point at 1300SMILES Stadium. He played his 250th club match for the Cowboys. Thurston announced that he planned to retire at the end of the 2018 season. He also played a key role in Australia's 2016 Rugby League Four Nations tournament win.

In 2017, Thurston faced several injuries, including calf and shoulder problems. He missed State of Origin Game 1. However, he returned for Game 2 and kicked the winning goal, despite injuring his shoulder again. This shoulder injury ended his season. It meant he missed his final planned Origin game and the Cowboys' Grand Final. After Queensland won Game 3, captain Cameron Smith invited Thurston to lift the Origin Shield with him.

Thurston returned to the Cowboys in 2018. He played his 300th NRL match in Round 1. The Cowboys did not make the finals that year. Thurston played his final game against the Gold Coast Titans. He delivered a fantastic performance, helping the Cowboys win 30–26.

Life After Rugby League

In 2018, Johnathan Thurston retired from playing rugby league. He then started the Johnathan Thurston Academy (JTAcademy). This academy helps young Australians find educational and job opportunities.

In August 2024, the National Rugby League announced that Thurston was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame. He was recognized as Hall of Fame number 121.

In February 2026, the Cowboys announced that Thurston had joined their board as a member.

Achievements and Awards

Individual Awards

Please note: This is a summary of Johnathan Thurston's major awards.

Dally M Medal Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2014, 2015
Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015
Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014
Dally M Captain of the Year: 2015
RLPA Player of the Year: 2005, 2013, 2014, 2015
RLPA Halfback of the Year: 2018
RLPA Indigenous Leadership & Excellence: 2018
RLIF International Back of the Year: 2007
RLIF Halfback of the Year: 2009, 2011, 2015
Rugby League World Golden Boot Award: 2011, 2013, 2015
Rugby League Week Player of the Year: 2007
Indigenous Halfback of the century (1908–2007)
North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year: 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015
North Queensland Cowboys Players' player of the Year: 2011, 2014
Provan-Summons Medal: 2014, 2015
Clive Churchill Medal: 2015
Alan Clarkson Trophy: 2015
Graham Murray Medal: 2016
Arthur Beetson Medal: 2017
Wally Lewis Medal: 2008
Ron McAuliffe Medal: 2012
Preston Campbell Medal: 2010, 2017
Ken Stephen Medal: 2012
Australian Representative Player of the Year: 2014
Rugby League World Cup (2013) 4 Man of the Match awards; in the 4 games he played
State of Origin Man of the Match: 5 Awards
State of Origin most consecutive matches: 36 (2005–2016)
State of Origin all-time highest point scorer.
All time highest point scorer in Australian test player
Townsville Bulletin Fan Choice Award: 2014, 2015

The Provan-Summons Medal is awarded to the "people's choice" NRL player of the year, chosen by fans.
The Clive Churchill Medal is awarded to the player judged man of the match in the NRL Grand Final.
The Alan Clarkson Trophy is awarded to the player judged most valuable finals player in the world.
The Graham Murray Medal is awarded to the player judged man of the match in the 2016 World Club Challenge.
The Wally Lewis Medal is awarded to the State of Origin player of the series.
The Ron McAuliffe Medal is awarded to the Queensland State of Origin player of the series.
The Preston Campbell Medal is awarded to the player judged man of the match in the Rugby League All Stars Match.
The Ken Stephen Medal is awarded to the player who has achieved both on and off the field through community projects.

In 2014, Thurston was made a life member of the North Queensland Cowboys.

In 2015 and 2018, Thurston was named Philips Sports Dad of the Year.

In 2015, Thurston was named as Big League Magazines Player of the Year. He was also named at Halfback in the magazine's team of the year section.

In 2015, Thurston received the Channel 9 Wide World of Sports Golden Kenny trophy for Australian sports star of the year.

In 2015, Thurston was given an honorary Doctor of Letters from James Cook University. This was for his great service and contributions to the northern Queensland community.

In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Thurston was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his important contributions to rugby league and for being a role model.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Team Achievements

NRL Grand Finals
Year	Team	Opposition	Venue	Score	Result
2004	Canterbury-Bankstown	Sydney	Telstra Stadium	16–13	Win
2005	North Queensland	Wests Tigers	Telstra Stadium	16–30	Runners-up
2015	North Queensland	Brisbane	ANZ Stadium	17–16	Win

World Club Challenge
Year	Team	Opposition	Venue	Score	Result
2016	North Queensland	Leeds	Headingley Rugby Stadium	38–4	Win

Rugby League World Cup finals
Year	Team	Opposition	Venue	Score	Result
2008	Australia	New Zealand	Suncorp Stadium	20–34	Runners-up
2013	Australia	New Zealand	Old Trafford	34–2	Win

Records Held by Johnathan Thurston

Most Dally M Medals: 4 (2005, 2007, 2014, 2015)
Most Golden Boot Awards: 3 (2011, 2013, 2015)
Most RLPA Players' Player Medals: 4 (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Most career points for the Australian test team: 334 (2006–2017)
Most career goals for the Australian test team: 143 (2006–2017)
Most consecutive games in State of Origin: 36 (2005–2017)
Most career points in State of Origin: 224 (2005–2017)
Most career goals in State of Origin: 101 (2005–2017)
Most North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year Awards: 4 (2005, 2012, 2014, 2015)

Statistics

NRL Career Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2018 season

†	Denotes seasons in which Thurston won an NRL Premiership

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts	W	L	W-L %
2002	Canterbury-Bankstown	7	2	0	—	0	8	5	2	71.4
2003		15	4	0	—	0	16	9	6	60.0
2004†		7	4	0	0.0	0	16	6	1	85.7
2005	North Queensland	26	5	28	77.8	2	78	15	11	57.7
2006		17	11	49	77.8	0	142	9	8	52.9
2007		25	10	78	80.4	0	196	17	8	68.0
2008		17	4	39	78.0	0	94	4	13	23.5
2009		23	11	79	79.8	0	202	10	13	43.5
2010		17	2	43	86.0	1	95	3	14	17.6
2011		19	10	61	77.2	0	162	11	8	57.9
2012		24	3	90	82.6	0	192	15	9	62.5
2013		22	2	71	75.5	1	151	12	10	54.5
2014		24	11	93	76.9	4	234	15	9	62.5
2015†		25	4	93	78.1	6	208	18	7	72.0
2016		24	2	96	84.2	1	201	16	8	66.7
2017		7	2	26	83.9	1	61	5	2	71.4
2018		24	3	77	77.8	0	166	8	16	33.3
Career totals		323	90	923	79.46	16	2222	178	145	55.1

All Star Match Statistics

†	Denotes years in which Thurston won an All Stars Match

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	Pts	W	L	W-L %
2010†	Indigenous All Stars	1	0	2	100	4	1	0	100
2011		1	0	1	100	2	0	1	0
2012		1	0	3	75	6	0	1	0
2013†		1	0	3	75	6	1	0	100
2015†		1	0	4	100	8	1	0	100
2017†		1	1	4	80	12	1	0	100
Career totals		6	1	17	88.3	38	4	2	66.6

State of Origin Statistics

†	Denotes years in which Thurston won a State of Origin series

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts	W	L	W-L %
2005	Queensland	3	1	0	—	1	5	1	2	33.3
2006†		3	0	7	77.8	0	14	2	1	66.7
2007†		3	0	5	71.4	1	11	2	1	66.7
2008†		3	0	10	76.9	0	20	2	1	66.7
2009†		3	1	10	83.3	0	24	2	1	66.7
2010†		3	0	12	85.7	0	24	3	0	100
2011†		3	1	8	80.0	0	16	2	1	66.7
2012†		3	1	9	90.0	0	22	2	1	66.7
2013†		3	1	7	77.8	0	18	2	1	66.7
2014		3	0	8	80.0	0	16	1	2	33.3
2015†		3	0	13	81.3	0	26	2	1	66.7
2016†		3	0	7	63.7	0	14	2	1	66.7
2017†		1	0	3	100	0	6	1	0	100
Career totals		37	5	99	80	2	220	24	13	66.68

International Match Statistics

†	Denotes years in which Thurston won a World Cup

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts	W	L	D	W-L %
2006	Australia	5	0	17	85.00	0	34	5	0	0	100
2007		1	0	5	83.3	0	10	1	0	0	100
2008		5	3	23	71.9	0	58	4	1	0	80.0
2009		5	3	22	73.3	0	56	4	0	1	80.0
2010		0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011		6	3	28	77.8	0	68	6	0	0	100
2012		2	1	7	87.5	0	18	2	0	0	100
2013†		6	2	33	78.6	0	74	6	0	0	100
2014		1	0	5	100	0	10	1	0	0	100
2015		1	0	2	100	0	4	0	1	0	0
2016		5	1	18	66.7	0	40	5	0	0	100
2017		1	0	3	60	0	6	1	0	0	100
Career totals		38	13	168	78.2	0	388	36	2	1	92.31

Johnathan Thurston's Personal Life

Thurston with Ros Croucher, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, after being awarded the 2017 Human Rights Medal.

Since 2008, Thurston has been in a relationship with Samantha Lynch. They have four daughters together. Their first daughter was born in June 2013. Their second daughter arrived in March 2015. Johnathan and Samantha got married in a private ceremony on Hamilton Island in November 2015. Their third daughter was born in March 2017, and their fourth daughter arrived in February 2019.

Thurston is a Catholic. He once helped a priest travel to Coen to hold Mass.

In 2022, Thurston lent his voice to an episode of the Australian children's show Bluey. He provided commentary for a fictional State of Origin match.

Community Work

Thurston is well-known for his community work. He has supported Indigenous communities in North Queensland. He has also worked with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. Thurston is famous for always carefully handing his kicking tee to the ballboy after a place kick. He also often gives his headgear to a young fan in the crowd after a game.

In December 2017, Thurston received the Australian Human Rights Commission Medal. This was for his important work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In 2017, Thurston also won the Queenslander of the Year award. In 2018, he was nominated for the Australian of the Year award.

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