Thurston wants Barba at Cowboys

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Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys looks on at 1300SMILES Stadium. Source: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

JH: IS going down to Sydney to attempt to win the Origin series going to be the toughest challenge of your career?

JT: Definitely. As a team it is the biggest challenge we will face since we went on this run. NSW have some great players and they will be at home. They have found self belief in their team and they now think they can beat us. It is going to be a huge challenge.

JH: Who can stop you from winning Origin III?

JT: Paul Gallen. No doubt. He is their leader and everything comes off the back of him. They get behind him and follow him. He is their biggest threat and when he plays well they play well. We have to stop him because it is hard for the rest to play well when he doesn't.

JH: You could go down as the greatest Origin player ever. How does that feel?

JT: Ha. Ha. I don't think of myself like that. I am grateful to be able to play in the team and play with the greats I have played alongside. I am blessed to play with these blokes.

JH: People were questioning your form earlier in the year. It reached fever pitch following Origin I. How did that feel?

JT: It was probably justified. I wasn't too happy with my footy. When your team is not going great individuals obviously aren't going great either. It was a combination of things. At club level, we have now had a couple of wins and we got the job done in Origin II.

JH: Did the criticism get to you?

JT: Not really. I am my own harshest critic. I know when I play good and I know when I play bad. I also know what I need to work on each week to improve on what might have let me down.

JH: Did you carry an injury into Origin I? There were suggestions you should not have even played.

JT: I was (injured) but I was totally confident in playing that game. My performance had nothing to do with that, it was my defence that wasn't great. That is something that I have been working very hard on over the last few weeks.

JH: You come across as laidback, but are you hard on yourself?

JT: I am always hard on myself. I am always out to do the best for my team and it hurts when I don't. I play for my mates and when I don't play well I am very disappointed. It is very important in my position for me to be playing consistent footy, week-in and week-out. 

JH: It has arguably been the biggest year of your life. You have signed what could be your final contract and also had your first child. Did you at any point lose your football focus. Were you distracted?

JT: Not at all. I suppose all the contract talk started before the All-Stars game and it was just something I had to deal with. I didn't buy too much into it and my manager (Sam Ayoub) took care of all the negotiations.

JH: But you did have to make a tough decision? You had a number of clubs throwing the cheque book at you.

JT: It was a tough decision but at the end of the day I wanted to stay in Townsville. I love this club and town. It is where I am set-up and where I want to stay.

JH: Did you have to ring Phil Gould and tell him you were not going to join Penrith?

JT: It was tough. It was certainly difficult to make that phone call. But that is what I thought was best for my footy and me.

JH: You are the first $1 million a year player. Do you feel pressure to live up to your price tag?

JT: There is always pressure on the best players to perform. Whether you get paid well or not, fans want results and so do coaches. There is always pressure and I have been living with that for a long time. Sometimes I thrive on it and sometimes it gets the better of me. Hopefully I can just keep improving as a footballer.

JH: How have you handled the dramas with the Cowboys? You have been playing under a coach that reportedly could be sacked at any moment?

JT: You just need to keep focused and make sure everyone is doing the little things right. I have been working hard on my game as an individual and I have tried to better those around me by making sure I am doing everything right at training. I lead by example.

JH: You had your first baby last month. Has it changed you?

JT: Definitely. I am loving being a father. It is an experience that I can't describe. It is no doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me. I think fatherhood agrees with me, too, because I have been playing good footy since she came into this world.

JH: Are you a chance to play beyond this contract?

JT: I haven't even thought that far ahead. I won't rule anything out. Life is really good for me at the moment and I love living in Townsville, I am loving being a father and I am really enjoying my football. I couldn't be happier.

JH: I guess your one burning desire is to win a premiership with the Cowboys. Are you going to get to tick that box?

JT: I still believe we can. It is every player's dream to win a premiership and you need things to go your way. Before my time is up at the Cowboys I hope we can deliver a premiership to the people.

JH: There has been a lot of talk about Ben Barba making a move to a Queensland club. Do you want him at the Cowboys?

JT: That is a decision for Benny to make, but if you have a look at the combination we had in the All Stars game, it was pretty good. If he came to the Cowboys I think his game would go to another level and I think I would be able to help with that.

JH: Will you push the club to sign him if he seeks a release?

JT: You always try and recruit the best players and no doubt he is right up there. He would come here and I believe his footy would improve. 

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