King of the North! Footy legend Johnathan Thurston is honoured with his own bronze statue – as he follows in the footsteps of Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson and Mal Meninga
- Thurston’s bronze statue will be erected at the new North Queensland Stadium
- Plans for the new monument was announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
- Thurston is one of rugby league’s greatest players and a Dally M medallist
Footy star Johnathan Thurston will be honoured with his own bronze statue at the new North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the plans to erect the statue of the four-time Dally M medallist in time for the stadium’s opening in 2020.
The former North Queensland Cowboys player will follow the footsteps of Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson and Mal Meninga who have statues at Suncorp Stadium.
The former premiership winner nicknamed ‘JT’ is known for an extensive list of achievements over a stunning 16-year career.
Four-time Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston will be honoured with his own bronze statue
Thurston also holds the record for winning the most Golden Boot awards, taking out three in total in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
The father-of-three started his career at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002, before retiring as a Cowboys player in 2018.
Thurston played 323 NRL games and 37 games for Queensland in State of Origin and 38 games for the Kangaroos.
The halfback was part of one the greatest Maroons sides ever assembled and lead his state’s dominance of Origin.
The father-of-three started his career at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002, before retiring as a Cowboys player in 2018
Ms Palaszczuk made told parliament during Thursday’s question time that Thurston would be honoured at the new stadium.
‘I know that Johnathan Thurston will be very pleased and honoured. He was a former Queenslander of the year,’ she said.
‘This does not preclude the QRL at some future date, if it chooses to do so, erecting a statue of Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium.
‘I know how important JT and his family are to the Townsville community.’
Thurston will follow the likes of legends including Lewis, nicknamed ‘The King’ (right), ‘Artie’ Beetson (left) and ‘Big Mal’ who have been immortalised in bronze
Thurston will follow the likes of legends including Lewis, nicknamed ‘The King’, ‘Artie’ Beetson and ‘Big Mal’ who have been immortalised in bronze.
Artie was hailed as ‘The Godfather’ of the State of Origin and Meninga is currently the head coach of the Australia Kangaroos – the country’s national rugby league team.
Thurston and his wife Samantha Lynch welcomed their fourth child earlier this year, Remie Lee, who was described as a ‘miracle baby’.
The couple already had three daughters but had fertility struggles to conceive again.
Thurston and his wife Samantha Lynch welcomed their fourth child earlier this year, Remie Lee, who was described as a ‘miracle baby’