Johnathan Dean Thurston (born 25 April 1983 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains (along with Matthew Scott).

An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative half-back and goal-kicker, he is also a two-time Dally M Medal and one-time Wally Lewis Medal winner. Thurston started his career at the Bulldogs with whom he won the 2004 NRL premiership before moving to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005, playing in that year's grand final. In 2008 he was named as halfback of the Australian Aboriginal rugby league team of the century. In 2011, he won the Golden Boot Award for the World's best player.

Thurston is the only player to have played in all 21 games of Queensland's seven-year State of Origin winning streak from 2006–2012.Of Indigenous Australian and New Zealand Maori descent Johnathan Thurston was born in Brisbane and began playing rugby league at a very young age for Souths Sunnybank Rugby League Football Club in Brisbane's southside. Later during his youth he moved to Toowoomba where he attended St. Mary's College, playing rugby league for his school and the Toowoomba Rugby League's All Whites club. Although a stand-out player at school and club level at 18 years of age, none of the National Rugby League clubs were willing to sign the Queenslander, with many citing his small size as a problem. According to Thurston's manager Sam Ayoub, a number of the clubs were not even willing to take him for free. Only St George Illawarra Dragons coach Nathan Brown was willing to sign him but because he was going to play for nothing his manager negotiated with the Bulldogs to sign him as he had promised Thurston's mother he would keep an eye on him, and Belmore (the Bulldogs' home ground) was closer to where he lived. The Bulldogs agreed and signed Thurston in the 2001 season for 'nil playing fee'. Once Thurston had the opportunity he went beyond all expectations and was selected for the Queensland U-19 side in 2001. The following year Thurston's dream became a reality as made his debut in the National Rugby League during Round 13 of the 2002 season (the season the Bulldogs breached the salary cap), coming off the bench for the Bulldogs against the Penrith Panthers. As a specialist in the halves Thurston was stuck in the shadow of star Bulldogs halves pairing Brent Sherwin and Braith Anasta and many of his critics still believed he was still too small in stature to be competitive in the NRL. Although Thurston never cemented a starting position and only took part in 29 matches throughout three seasons at the Bulldogs, in his final year in 2004, he was part of the Premiership-winning side, coming off the bench in the Bulldogs 16 – 13 win over the Sydney Roosters in the 2004 NRL grand final. Thurston wore jersey #18 for the match as he had been a late inclusion for regular captain Steve Price who in the lead up to the match was ruled out with a knee injury. As Price had initially housed and mentored him upon his arrival in Sydney, Thurston gave his premiership ring to Steve Price as a thank you. The NRL provided him with another soon after. Towards the end of the season it was announced 2004 would be his final year for the Sydney club as he was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys for the 2005 NRL season.Full name Johnathan Dean Thurston Nickname JT Born 25 April 1983 (age 29) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Height 179 cm (5 ft 10 inch) Weight 82 kg

Harrison Baker has produced this information for you

Johnathan Thurston

Johnathan Thurston

Johnathan Thurston

References:

Johnathon Thurston image borrowed from:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnathan_Thurston