League
Thurston given wake-up call
By Wayne Heming
January 30, 2008
NORTH Queensland officials stopped short of ordering club captain Johnathan Thurston off the drink after the Australia halfback was locked up over the Australia Day weekend.
Thurston was arrested for public drunkenness after locking himself out of his Townsville apartment in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
The 24-year-old Test star appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court but no conviction was recorded.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr, who reminded all the club's contracted players of their responsibilities, said Thurston would face disciplinary action but stressed his captaincy was not in question.
"Whilst we're disappointed with Johnathan, he's been here three years and this is the first time we've found him to bring the game into disrepute," Parr said.
"We don't see a need to tell Johnathan not to drink.
"I spoke to all the players today, reminding them of their responsibilities and told them Johnathan had received a fairly big wake up call.
"It was a mistake, it was silly, but before he went out on Friday night, everyone at this club thought he was a good bloke, and we still do."
A two-time Dally M winner, Thurston sits alongside Brisbane and Australian captain Darren Lockyer as the game's best player.
"Johnathan understands his position in the community here and his profile and how many kids look up to him," said Parr.
"I can assure you he's not getting around today being proud what happened the other night.
"He's very apologetic and remorseful about the whole thing."
Parr said when the club appointed Thurston captain at such a young age it knew there would be some peaks and troughs as he grew into the job.
"I just hope this is part of the learning curve of being captain of this club, a good wake up call for him and clear reminder of the responsibilities that go with the position."
Thurston, training hard to return for the 2008 NRL season following double shoulder surgery in the off-season, was given the Australia Day weekend off.
"I think his eyes lit up at the thought of enjoying a Friday night out heading into Australia Day," said Parr.
"He should have been smarter than that.
"At the end of the day we're disappointed in him but he hasn't harmed anyone, he was co-operative throughout the process."
Parr was concerned by incidents in the past six months involving hooker David Faiumu - still facing assault charges - and second-rower Steve Southern, who broke his ankle in an incident in Townsville last August and now Thurston.
"The last six months, with Steve Southern, David Faiumu and now Johnathan, nobody wants that to continue and we've had to remind the players of their responsibilities and obligations," he said.
"I'm not happy with what's happened over the last six months but I don't believe it's an epidemic."
"Johnathan wishes he'd made some other decisions that night.
"He can't do anything about it but accept responsibility for his actions and learn from it, and let's hope it does.
"I don't want to and I won't be putting any sanctions in place at this stage but I'll continue to monitor the situation and keep the board informed of events in the hope players will take heed of the reminder we gave them today."
Thurston could not be contacted for comment.
