North Queensland cowboy legend Johnathan Thurston was immortalized in a bronze statue outside the new $ 250 million Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Thurston played a total of 294 games for the Cowboys and was instrumental in their 2015 premiership which he scored with a winning field goal in gold point.
The famous field goal of the great NRL is the moment of his career in which the new statue depicts.
An emotional Thurston admitted that he was blown away with the amount of support he received throughout his career.
“Think about it, but until it happens, it has wiped out how much support I have had, especially from the community here in Townsville and northern Queensland,” Thurston said.
Playing a total of 323 first-grade games, Thurston had a brilliant career in the rugby league which also included two premierships, four Dally M Player of the Year awards, 37 games for Queensland and 38 games for Australia.
Prior to his tenure in North Queensland, Thurston played his first three NRL seasons with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and joined their team in 2004.
Thurston made his Cowboys debut in a season of 2005, and from then on, forging a career so rich in North Queensland history, he is proud to call it his home.
“I am extremely proud to call North Queensland home,” he said.
“This community embraced me when I arrived here in 2005 and this is where I will raise my four children.”
Artist Jane Hawkins was the person in charge of perfecting and sculpting the statue.
“It’s a great time for me and my family,” added Thurston.
“I trusted Jane, it was a long process, I spent hours and hours at her house with sculpture and poses.
“She has been very scrupulous in her work and you can tell how it turned out.”
