Jonathon Thurston

[Capital_Shark]

Jesus mate that's a peachey comment mate must have been getting late lol that was 7 years ago, a hell of a lot has happened and changed since then its isn't the same game!

What happened after that why did he get the sack they made the semis the following year then it was all down hill after that, do you remember the scores that were being put on Penrith those years.

Last year Lang was the coach in waiting he was obviously doing some of the work and taylor was the muppet but hw would have been taking all the heat from upstairs. I don't think the defence they showed was anything to crow about TBH its was very soft at times and that wont get you to a GF, the game has changed it will be interesting if Lang has changed his ways as well all the pressure will be on him that's for sure.

What will happen when they get the inevitable injuries can they back it up will Ross stay on the field has Lang changed his ways lots of questions.

New coach new team, I am looking forward to this year that's for sure and ill will be watching every game with much interest.

Do they televise the return to Redfern match at all and when is it?

I really wish the bunnies could go back to redfern full time.

hahaha typed it as I was heading off, but the fact remains they did win a premiership, and against the best defensive team of the 3 seasons prior. It was 7 years ago and you're right, a lot has changed since then. It became all about defence for a while there, but now with a 2nd f-ckwit with a whistle out there I think its become more open to attacking football than ever.

You can't use 'inevitable injuries' to call a teams season down, everyone gets inevitable injuries and it takes a lot of luck in this department to have a successful campaign. Sure you can attempt to offset the impact with good depth, and I think they've got that in their forward pack and the 1-5 but if something long term hits the halves or Isaac Luke they'll be in strife, but the same could be said about the other 15 teams.

IronShark might have a point about not enough people just willing to do the hard yakka, but if (its all 'ifs' obviously) Lang can bring all those exciting individuals together as a unit, they're gonna be hard to stop.

IronShark is also right about this thread going quite a ways off topic. But stuff it, its a footy forum and we're talking footy. I personally found the off topic a lot more interesting than speculation of where Thurston is gonna end up in a seasons time.

 

[WillyInBris]

hahaha typed it as I was heading off, but the fact remains they did win a premiership, and against the best defensive team of the 3 seasons prior. It was 7 years ago and you're right, a lot has changed since then. It became all about defence for a while there, but now with a 2nd f-ckwit with a whistle out there I think its become more open to attacking football than ever.

You can't use 'inevitable injuries' to call a teams season down, everyone gets inevitable injuries and it takes a lot of luck in this department to have a successful campaign. Sure you can attempt to offset the impact with good depth, and I think they've got that in their forward pack and the 1-5 but if something long term hits the halves or Isaac Luke they'll be in strife, but the same could be said about the other 15 teams.

IronShark might have a point about not enough people just willing to do the hard yakka, but if (its all 'ifs' obviously) Lang can bring all those exciting individuals together as a unit, they're gonna be hard to stop.

IronShark is also right about this thread going quite a ways off topic. But stuff it, its a footy forum and we're talking footy. I personally found the off topic a lot more interesting than speculation of where Thurston is gonna end up in a seasons time.

I have to agree on your last part thats for sure I think some people may not be aware that whilst yes this is a sharks site during the off season we always go off topic and get back on at the start of the season other wise this becomes a very dull place.

So I guess we will have to wait and see and see if I am two up by the end of the season :drunk

 

[IronShark]

I have to agree on your last part thats for sure I think some people may not be aware that whilst yes this is a sharks site during the off season we always go off topic and get back on at the start of the season other wise this becomes a very dull place.

So I guess we will have to wait and see and see if I am two up by the end of the season :drunk

By the way, I wasn't complaining about the thread going off topic, I just thought it was funny that a thread about Thurston has morphed into a discussion about the Bunnies prospects.

Oh yeah, one more thing. I am gonna make a prediction right now that we will finish higher than Rusties Pet Rabbits!:good:

 

[Beejay]

OK im sorry this post is on topic, going against the flow abit here, but the thread title has a typo in it...

 

[IronShark]

OK im sorry this post is on topic, going against the flow abit here, but the thread title has a typo in it...

No, it hasn't. It's a direct quote from Thurston. Apparently he talks with a Kiwi accent and the full statement was, "I want as muny bucks as I can get 'cos I want to buy heaps of fush and chups, eh bro. Now pass the VeeBee so we can get on the puss!"

 

[Dalos]

No, it hasn't. It's a direct quote from Thurston. Apparently he talks with a Kiwi accent and the full statement was, "I want as muny bucks as I can get 'cos I want to buy heaps of fush and chups, eh bro. Now pass the VeeBee so we can get on the puss!"

Choice cuzz

 

[Google News]

'The game is well and truly in a position to fulfil its potential' - Sydney Morning Herald

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...m.html&usg=AFQjCNHLLFs62J_9TipUJqadlRT_Ryhd4Q

'The game is well and truly in a position to fulfil its potential'
March 5, 2010

<EDITED>

PLAYERS ASKING FOR MORE

Johnathan Thurston recently became the latest big-name player to threaten to leave the game for rugby union if he couldn't earn more. Gallop says while he would hate to see Thurston go, he won't change the rules to try to convince him to stay.

''The game has made a choice that it wants to keep its clubs financially viable, and that means we can't just throw cash at every superstar every time they get a potential offer from somewhere else,'' he says. ''I've made it really clear personally to Johnathan that we want him to stay. We see opportunities for him during the rest of his playing career and after footy, particularly with his indigenous background.''

<EDITED>

 

[Google News]

Matt Bowen pleads for Johnathan Thurston to stay a Cowboy despite interest ... - Courier Mail

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...394670&usg=AFQjCNGhFgcDYwosP6oWV1y_B3qPc1VRIw

Matt Bowen pleads for Johnathan Thurston to stay a Cowboy despite interest from other NRL clubs including Cronulla
by Peter Badel
March 13, 2010 6:26PM

JOHNATHAN Thurston's attacking partner-in-crime, Matt Bowen, has appealed for his colleague not to walk out on the Cowboys as Sharks coach Ricky Stuart emerged as a pivotal figure in the battle for the NRL's No. 1 player.

The Sunday Mail has learned three NRL rivals are still keen to secure Thurston – Cronulla, the Bulldogs and the Warriors, who first expressed interest in the Maroons playmaker 12 months ago.

But Cowboys sources say there is a "90 per cent" chance Thurston will stay in Townsville, with NRL rivals unable to trump North Queensland's club record three-year, $2.1 million offer.

Cronulla coach Stuart is an unabashed fan of Thurston, having worked with him extensively during his reign as Australian coach between 2006-08. Sixteen months ago, Stuart attended the funeral of Thurston's uncle, Richard Saunders, as a show of support for the playmaker.

The Sharks are in need of a dominant playmaker, with young half Scott Porter still finding his feet and veteran pivot Trent Barrett contemplating retirement at season's end.

But Bowen, with Thurston the one-two punch in North Queensland's attack, urged his captain not to sever their potent long-term partnership.

"I don't want him to leave," Bowen said. "Everyone would love to see him stay at the Cowboys.

"Me and Johnno have a great understanding and I think the club could look after him after footy.

"Hopefully he decides he wants to stay here. I know JT has talked about rugby but I've never really been interested in it. I can't remember if I had an approach from the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) but I think JT still has a lot more to do here."

Sharks enforcer Paul Gallen underscored the club's sentiments in relation to the Cowboys star, saying last week: "I'd like to see the club go out and attract a Johnathan Thurston."

The problem for the Sharks is finding the funds to land Thurston.

Cronulla chief executive Richard Fisk was tightlipped when asked if the Sharks were targeting him. "Everyone is interested in very good players but we won't be negotiating or discussing this through the media," he said.

But the Cowboys appear set to get their man. It is understood NRL rivals would have to exceed North Queensland's $700,000-a-season offer to lure Thurston, a nigh-impossible scenario given the code's salary cap laws.

The Bulldogs have had Thurston on their radar for almost two years but admit they cannot compete with the Cowboys deal – leaving overseas rugby as the major impediment to North Queensland's hopes of retaining the Test halfback until 2013.

 

[Ramzyv1]

Would be awesome and with those off-contract this year including Barrett, the money may be there. But you would think that if he was going to sign with the NRL it will be Cowboys.

 

[Mr Wright]

After watching him rip through the Broncos first hand on Friday night, I'm all for signing Thurston. He is a game changer and would put this Sharks team into the top 4-6 teams in the league. Even with promising Kelly and Townsend waiting in the wings, Thurston is my priority.

 

[Google News]

Blues face mounting selection dilemmas - Sydney Morning Herald

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...v.html&usg=AFQjCNFNMyioIwXzHvougph7E6Vp1HXbfQ

Blues face mounting selection dilemmas
April 10, 2010
Brad Walter and Greg Prichard

<EDITED>

COWBOYS BIDING TIME

The future of Johnathan Thurston may also become clearer soon. His manager, Sam Ayoub, will be at the Cowboys-Wests Tigers game tonight. ''I'll watch the game with Sam, and hopefully we'll get some clarity on when Johnathan will be making a decision on our offer,'' said Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr. The club also wanted to keep Luke O'Donnell, he said.

 

[Blix]

Man this guy would seriously be a massive buy for us. He is definately the best halfback in the world.

I could seriously see us being contenders with this guy.

1) Stapo / Kelly
6) Tim Smith
7) Thurston
9) Morris and Aiton

That is quality, especially with our forward pack.

 

[hitman124]

we`d need to fork out 750 k + per season, we simply dont have the money.

 

[Blix]

How much is Barrett on ?, probably 300?, also Weirdo (which from what I have heard will likely not be able to play again) 175?, also Bombaroy (who the jury is out on), is on at least 175, that is 650.

We are well below the salary cap, and also Thurston would likely cop some good 3rd party sponsorship as well.

$750 is a MASSIVE salary and one that nearly no one would say he is worth, BUT, even if he was that much he would be the perfect player to put in a team which has struggled with creativity when they have the opposition on the line.

 

[Capital_Shark]

we`d need to fork out 750 k + per season, we simply dont have the money.

No Club will be able to pay him $750K+ straight out of their cap and field any sort of quality around him.

If he sticks tight on that figure, he won't be playing NRL next year. His options have dwindled since that price tag came out anyway. Union has pretty much said there will be no more big offers to League players, the new Vic Union team has said no (although the way their recruitment drive is going - or not going - may see them happy to take anyone they can get). If he keeps stalling too you'd hope the Cowboys would eventually stop pandering to him and say enough is enough you're either signing this contract or hoping on ya bike.

Fair enough keep yourself on the market long enough to build interest and check out all your options but shop yourself around too long and it'll go in the opposite direction. If it was all about the money he'd be meeting and greeting sushi shop owners as potential sponsors in Tokyo. He wants to remain in Australia playing one of the top flight Rugby codes and now League is the only one still interested in him.

 

[El Coconuto]

We are well below the salary cap, and also Thurston would likely cop some good 3rd party sponsorship as well.

I don't think that's by choice. Until we financially secure ourselves a little more, we will continue to be well under the cap year after year. I'm pretty sure we're the only team that couldn't break the salary cap without going under

 

[hitman124]

No Club will be able to pay him $750K+ straight out of their cap and field any sort of quality around him.

Cowboys have offered 700 k a yr for 3 years with third party, so inorder to lure him elsewhere I`d say you`d have to give him 750 or more.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Cowboys have offered 700 k a yr for 3 years with third party, so inorder to lure him elsewhere I`d say you`d have to give him 750 or more.

I doubt an extra $50K would sway him. It would be more than $50K's worth of hassle to move from Townsville.

If Thurston really wants a premiership ring (he gave his '04 one to Price) then he'd sign with a Club for less, so that they can afford to buy him some team mates.

 

[El Coconuto]

The market for him to come to Sydney has to be tempting though, right?

We're talking about a...

...much much bigger market for him right in the hub of Rugby League's heartland (Sydney).

...opportunity to lead a storied club (with more history than the Cowboys) to their first ever maiden premiership. What kind of narcissist wouldn't like that?

...chance to team up with two Indigenous prodigies (Fergo and Kelly) as well as potentially playing side by side with the captain of New South Wales (assuming Bellamy does the right thing this series), which would give the Sharks the captains of both NSW (Gallen) and QLD (Thurston - who I believe Mal would give the invisible armband to over Cam Smith in the Post-Lockyer Era) which would surely get steam for a little more free-to-air time for the club and possibly more sponsorships as a result of.

I'm not saying I particularly want Thurston (I've already indicated how much I'd prefer to use any spare cap to lock up the likes of Fergo, Kelly, Douggie and co on long term deals - and who's to say they wouldn't take a pay cut just to play alongside Thurston?) but I am saying that if the club made a play for him, I'm sure he'd be listening. Intently. We are a club that's going places. I'm not sure the exact same could be said for the Cowboys - evidenced by the signing of Willie Mason.

Just saying...

 

[hitman124]

wow coco, when you put it like that................

Imagine if we had the captain of qld AND new south.......

but wait, isnt cam smith going to take over from lockeyer?