Cowboy Johnathan Thurston bags RLPA Players’ Player award third time in a row

North Queensland star player Johnathan Thurston was voted the highest honour by his peers at Sydney’s Doltone House on Tuesday. The 32-year-old took away the prestigious Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) nominated Player’s Player award for the third straight year.

Though Thurston wasn’t present to receive the gong due to practice sessions for the Cowboys’ game against Cronulla for the NFL semi-finals, he did acknowledge the honour via a video acceptance speech.

“In my eyes this is the highest accolade a player can get,” the Dally M medal hot favourite said “to be voted by your peers as the best in your game.”

The former Bulldogs player joined the Cowboys in 2005, playing a key strength for North Queensland since then. On Tuesday, he became the first player to have four RLPA medals to his name, inching him closer to upstage league legend Andrew Johns.

The Queensland player was one among the players who threatened to boycott the Dally M due to the unsuccessful negotiations going on between NRL and the players’ union. The struggle has been a long one, beginning in March and inconclusive in its follow-up till date.

Despite being touted as the most likely winner of this year’s Dally, it is doubtful if Thurston would acknowledge the award, as evident in his pointed message of considering the RLPA above Dally M in his video speech.

“I think it’s crucial and very important,” Thurston reinstated in his message “that we stand united as one on this issue.”

The co-captain of the Cowboys beat Brisbane’s Ben Hunt, Sydney Roosters’ Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tigers’ James Tedesco and South Sydney’s Greg Inglis for the RLPA honour this year. The win is expected to act as a confidence booster for Thurston and his team in their semi-finals match on Saturday.

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