'I was ready to quit': Johnathan Thurston almost gave up on his rugby league dream as a teenager after he told he was too small to play

  • Johnathan Thurston paid a fitting tribute ahead of the State of Origin decider
  • Queensland great's 37-Origin match career was ended by a shoulder injury
  • The 34-year-old was typically selfless as he spoke during his pre-match tribute
  • 'Looking forward to the boys getting out there and getting the job done,' he said

By MAX MARGAN and NIC WHITE, US SENIOR INVESTIGATIONS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Queensland great Johnathan Thurston almost quit rugby league early in his career when he was told he was too small to play.

The 34-year-old, who retired ahead of Wednesday night's State of Origin decider, said it was hard for him to get much action as a teenager.

'They said I was too small and couldn’t tackle, other blokes were getting a start ahead of me but I always kept working,' he told Channel 9.

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Queensland great Johnathan Thurston was paid a fitting tribute ahead of the State of Origin decider after he was denied a fairy tale farewell

Queensland great Johnathan Thurston was paid a fitting tribute ahead of the State of Origin decider after he was denied a fairy tale farewell

When he finally got a crack at NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs he almost gave it all away and had to be convinced to keep playing.

'I was in Ricky Stuart’s office in tears, homesick and ready to quit, but he convinced me to stay,' he said.

Thurston never cemented his place in the Canterbury team but in 2005 was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys and then selected for his first Origin match.

After nervously walking in to his first Maroons training session he was pulled aside by coach Darren Lockyer and told 'don’t worry, we believe in you'.

Johnathan Thurston and his family are interviewed before during game three of the State Of Origin 

Johnathan Thurston and his family are interviewed before during game three of the State Of Origin 

Thurston never looked back, becoming on of the league's best and playing in 37 State of Origin matches before his injury in Game 2.

He was paid a fitting tribute ahead of the State of Origin decider after he was denied that fairy tale farewell.

The Cowboys' captain's remarkable career was ended by a shoulder injury in Queensland's come-from-behind 18-16 win in game two.

Thurston was typically selfless as he spoke during his pre-match tribute in front of a capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night. 

'It's quite a special evening for myself, so you know, really looking forward to the boys getting out there and getting the job done,' he said. 

'Some of my greatest memories on a rugby league field have been in the Maroons jersey.

'Like our captain Smithy said, "Don't let your mate down, don't let your state down" and that stuck through those 37 games.

'I'm very blessed and fortunate to be in the position that I am, you know, I've got a lot of people to thank for that... It's been an incredible journey.'

Frankie and Charlie ran toward their father as he walked onto the stage before the game (pictured) 

The 34-year-old was typically selfless as he spoke during his pre-match tribute in front of a capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night

The 34-year-old was typically selfless as he spoke during his pre-match tribute in front of a capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night

Thurston's remarkable 37-Origin match career was ended by a shoulder injury in Queensland's come-from-behind 18-16 win in game two

Thurston's remarkable 37-Origin match career was ended by a shoulder injury in Queensland's come-from-behind 18-16 win in game two

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