The Thurston myth

[Coxy]

When are people going to wake up and realise that Thurston isn't a halfback? His best attribute is his running game. His passing game is average, his kicking game is serviceable, and his organisation skills are below par IMO.

Why do Australia and Queensland persist with selecting him at halfback and in turn lumbering Lockyer with most of the organisational responsibilities?

I for one would feel much better having Prince at halfback. He's excellent with ball in hand close to the line, but also works flawlessly with his forwards to get a roll on up field. And he has the best kicking game in the NRL bar none.

So when will people take their channel 9 antennae out of their heads and realise Thurston is a five-eighth or a bench utility?

 

[mal]

Thurston has and always will be a five-eighth. Regardless what of what number he wears on his back.

 

[ethos]

I agree, Prince is the best halfback in the competition by far.

But they won't drop Thurston, and despite the fact that he may or may not be playing out of position, he's been the part of a very successful Queensland team over the past few years. He'll be at number seven until Lockyer retires and then we should see a Thurston / Prince combo.

But some interesting stats (and I know stats can be skewed in every which way)..

With Thurston at halfback, QLD have won 5/10.

With Prince at halfback, QLD have won 3/5.

 

[Coxy]

Yep, Queensland are 10% better with Prince at halfback, there's no doubt about that. And Lockyer is a true champion so he must be there (and in fact one of Prince's losses was when Lockyer wasn't in the team in 2004 due to injury).

10% is a huge advantage in Origin, therefore they should either drop Thurston for Prince, or have Thurston on the bench as a roving utility. Although, then there's the other myth about him - being a good defender. He's got shoulders as weak as Marshall.

 

[Flutterby]

Agree with pretty much all the sentiments already expressed here.

 

[mrslong]

Jonathan Thurston is my favourite player, so I am bias. I agree he's a better 5/8th, as evidenced last year when he teamed up with Prince, BUT I think the Thurston/Lockyer combination is the best we've had in years. Leave it as it is.

I also curiously hate Scott Prince, I think it's ever since the Tigers won in 2005 over the Cowboys. *Shrugs*, it's weird and irrational but oh well.

 

[OXY-351]

Although, then there's the other myth about him - being a good defender. He's got shoulders as weak as Marshall.

Who started that myth. I've never rated him as a defender. Watching the cowboys game last friday night, I swear he missed about 5-6 tackled just in the first 10 minutes. He gets in there and gives it a good shot, but more often than not he's bumped off on the first attempt.

 

[Foordy]

I agree with everything you said coxy.... I think the Cowboys have been using him at halfback because they have had no one else that can play that position. IMO, they should recruit a decent halfback so that he can move back to his real position. i think you'll find that when Locky retires from rep footy, he will play 5/8 at rep level.

FTR, i also think that Mullen is a 5/8 and not a halfback, for similar reasons to Thurston, but for some reasons everyone wants to compare him to Andrew Johns

 

[Flutterby]

The problem is though (and it has been discussed much on the The Sunday Footy Show this year) there are actually very few 'real' halfbacks around these days.

 

[Alec]

Because Cameron Smith does all the organization, just like he does for Melbourne, since Cooper Cronk isn't a halfback either. It works because Cameron Smith plays like a halfback from dummy half and Lockyer and Thurston play 5/8ths on either side of the ruck (both at first receiver though).

Cameron Smith's best attribute is his organization...his passing off the ground isn't as great as some of the other hookers in the comp. If you have Prince there, they'll either clash or Smith will be way less effective (sort of like in last year's series).

 

[shaneomac]

thurston has been made to fit with lockyer in the rep scene because like wallace lockyer takes half of first receiver anyway. so in essence it is having 2 five-eighths and no genuine half back.

 

[Hamm.0]

RORZ@this thread.

JT might be a natural 5/8th, however dropping him is a LOLZable thought process. And furthermore, to make any change to the QLD halves, it would make far more sense to move JT to 5/8th, Prince at 7 and drop Lockyer.

Now all you blinded fools will scream murder, so let me remind you of some very interesting stats to go with that "With Thurston at halfback, QLD have won 5/10, with Prince at halfback, QLD have won 3/5" stat;

SoO 2006 Game 3 (just after halftime for the Tate try, to bring us within striking distance)
SoO 2007 Game 3
SoO 2008 Game 3

Also, Thurston is 3 times the defender Lockyer is.

Make no mistake, I think Lockyer is a God and am in no way trying to say JT is a superior player (I also feel perhaps at club level Cowboys could play him at 5/8th, although I see no problem with him at 7), however at SoO, short of injury or massive form slump by himself or Lockyer, JT will be the halfback and rightfully so.

The man sweats QLD and whilst Lockyer is in the team, is the most important man in the halves.

 

[m1c]

Thurston keeps his spot, no questions. He has done nothing to deserve losing it.

However i think it's pretty amazing the career he has built on just a show and go..

 

[Hamm.0]

But what a show, snap and go it is!!! It has won us Origin no less than 3 times!

 

[Coxy]

I just hope Queensland isn't behind the 8 ball at any stage this year, because judging by Thurston's "efforts" when his team has been behind this year he's been shithouse. Losing the plot, brain explosions etc.

Nup, Prince-Lockyer a far more certain prospect than Thurston-Prince or Thurston-Lockyer.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Kiwis win on Friday night that Thurston's rep career will be over.

 

[Hamm.0]

Interesting thought process Coxy, can't understand it myself. Cowboys have had very average seasons the last 3 years yet JT has always delivered at Origin level. In 2006, we were far behind the 8 ball when he snapped a lazy marker and made Tate's try. In 2008, we were behind the 8 ball and he snapped White, making Slater's try.

Like I said, IMO if any change had to be made, it'd have to be a Prince-Thurston combination.

 

[Coxy]

All he has is a great show and go, as m1c pointed out. He can come off the bench and do that maybe, replacing one of the back rowers.

He's a liability playing the full 80.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

RORZ@this thread.

JT might be a natural 5/8th, however dropping him is a LOLZable thought process. And furthermore, to make any change to the QLD halves, it would make far more sense to move JT to 5/8th, Prince at 7 and drop Lockyer.

Now all you blinded fools will scream murder, so let me remind you of some very interesting stats to go with that "With Thurston at halfback, QLD have won 5/10, with Prince at halfback, QLD have won 3/5" stat;

SoO 2006 Game 3 (just after halftime for the Tate try, to bring us within striking distance)
SoO 2007 Game 3
SoO 2008 Game 3

Also, Thurston is 3 times the defender Lockyer is.

Make no mistake, I think Lockyer is a God and am in no way trying to say JT is a superior player (I also feel perhaps at club level Cowboys could play him at 5/8th, although I see no problem with him at 7), however at SoO, short of injury or massive form slump by himself or Lockyer, JT will be the halfback and rightfully so.

The man sweats QLD and whilst Lockyer is in the team, is the most important man in the halves.

[eusa_clap.gi [eusa_clap.gi [eusa_clap.gi ..ken oath mate