Granty
19-05-2006, 12:56 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19184431-10389,00.html
Ready to make his mark
Mick Daly
May 19, 2006
JOHNATHAN Thurston has declared himself ready to take control of the Queensland State of Origin side and relieve pressure on skipper Darren Lockyer.
Thurston played three games at halfback for Queensland last year but admits he probably did not stamp his authority on the series as much as he would have liked.
The 23-year-old said he was still finding his feet in first grade when he made his Origin debut but now felt a more composed player.
"I definitely feel I have improved," he said yesterday.
"We've got a fair few new faces in the team, so I think the experience I gained last year will be a big advantage.
"I know what to expect this time around. I'm going into this series with a lot more maturity and self-belief. I want to step up."
After snaring the Dally M trophy for best player in the NRL last year and narrowly missing out on the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the Cowboys' grand final loss to Wests Tigers, Thurston has enjoyed a stellar opening to the season.
Now second in the Dally M voting behind Melbourne Storm hooker and Maroons teammate Cameron Smith, he made his Test debut for Australia against New Zealand earlier this month after a string of matchwinning performances for the Cowboys.
Thurston said he wanted to impose his dominance at Origin level and planned to talk to Lockyer about how they could best accommodate each other's games.
"I'll certainly be looking to take more control out there. I don't want to just be a link man," he said.
"Last year, being new to the team, I was probably happy to sit back and feed Locky.
"Since then I've gained plenty of experience. I've had a good start to the year and am confident enough to take on greater responsibility."
"I will have a chat to Locky during the week and see what he reckons. I'm looking forward to playing inside him again."
Before the announcement of the squad on Monday, there was speculation Lockyer would be shifted to fullback, with Thurston at five-eighth and Wests Tigers star Scott Prince at halfback.
Thurston said he preferred playing five-eighth but was content to wear the No. 7.
"That's where I've been chosen to play and I'm happy to do so," he said.
"The roles are only a little bit different. At halfback, the main focus is getting the boys around the paddock.
"I've had to do that for the Cowboys a fair bit this year and I'm becoming more comfortable with that. It's just the job you have to do. We've got a big but mobile pack, which is great.
"It will also be an advantage having Matty Bowen at fullback. He and I know each other's games pretty well."
Smith, who starred in Storm's 18-6 victory over the Cowboys at Olympic Park last Saturday night, said he expected Thurston to become more of an on-field leader for Queensland.
He cited Thurston's elevation to the Cowboys' vice-captaincy this year as evidence of his increasing maturity.
"I think he's ready to take the reins a bit more," he said.
"He has had another year in first grade, he has been in a grand final and he has played for Australia.
"When you play representative footy, it gives you a lot more confidence and you just learn off the blokes around you."
Ready to make his mark
Mick Daly
May 19, 2006
JOHNATHAN Thurston has declared himself ready to take control of the Queensland State of Origin side and relieve pressure on skipper Darren Lockyer.
Thurston played three games at halfback for Queensland last year but admits he probably did not stamp his authority on the series as much as he would have liked.
The 23-year-old said he was still finding his feet in first grade when he made his Origin debut but now felt a more composed player.
"I definitely feel I have improved," he said yesterday.
"We've got a fair few new faces in the team, so I think the experience I gained last year will be a big advantage.
"I know what to expect this time around. I'm going into this series with a lot more maturity and self-belief. I want to step up."
After snaring the Dally M trophy for best player in the NRL last year and narrowly missing out on the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the Cowboys' grand final loss to Wests Tigers, Thurston has enjoyed a stellar opening to the season.
Now second in the Dally M voting behind Melbourne Storm hooker and Maroons teammate Cameron Smith, he made his Test debut for Australia against New Zealand earlier this month after a string of matchwinning performances for the Cowboys.
Thurston said he wanted to impose his dominance at Origin level and planned to talk to Lockyer about how they could best accommodate each other's games.
"I'll certainly be looking to take more control out there. I don't want to just be a link man," he said.
"Last year, being new to the team, I was probably happy to sit back and feed Locky.
"Since then I've gained plenty of experience. I've had a good start to the year and am confident enough to take on greater responsibility."
"I will have a chat to Locky during the week and see what he reckons. I'm looking forward to playing inside him again."
Before the announcement of the squad on Monday, there was speculation Lockyer would be shifted to fullback, with Thurston at five-eighth and Wests Tigers star Scott Prince at halfback.
Thurston said he preferred playing five-eighth but was content to wear the No. 7.
"That's where I've been chosen to play and I'm happy to do so," he said.
"The roles are only a little bit different. At halfback, the main focus is getting the boys around the paddock.
"I've had to do that for the Cowboys a fair bit this year and I'm becoming more comfortable with that. It's just the job you have to do. We've got a big but mobile pack, which is great.
"It will also be an advantage having Matty Bowen at fullback. He and I know each other's games pretty well."
Smith, who starred in Storm's 18-6 victory over the Cowboys at Olympic Park last Saturday night, said he expected Thurston to become more of an on-field leader for Queensland.
He cited Thurston's elevation to the Cowboys' vice-captaincy this year as evidence of his increasing maturity.
"I think he's ready to take the reins a bit more," he said.
"He has had another year in first grade, he has been in a grand final and he has played for Australia.
"When you play representative footy, it gives you a lot more confidence and you just learn off the blokes around you."