Johnathan Thurston vs. Andrew Johns: The best of their eras

Two years ago when the first talks and commentary of comparing two of the greatest rugby league halfbacks Johnathan Thurston and Andrew Johns came about, I was not particularly interested.

Why do I say that? 

It would be because I have visioned Andrew Johns, a cherished Newcastle Knights hero of mine, for a long time at the head of the pack. 

But you may notice my use of past tense in that previous sentence, and it is for good reason.

Andrew Johns (left) and Johnathan Thurston (right): Too hard to separate

The past three weeks in the National Rugby League for the North Queensland Cowboys has been truly fascinating.

As a neutral, it has been a pleasure to being able to watch their superstar and co-captain Johnathan Thurston playing the best footy in the world.

It all started with their 18-17 golden point win against Melbourne Storm in Townsville three rounds back. 

A 71^st minute field goal from fellow Queensland origin player Cooper Cronk was supposed to win the game for the visiting side.

But a 79^th minute field goal by JT from range took the game into golden point. 

The Australian halfback then replicated his bit of individual brilliance in the fifth minute of the golden point period to secure one of the most unlikely comebacks – and deservedly so.

The following week Thurston had huge influence on the Cowboys, who showed no signs of fatigue, running riot 30-10 against Penrith Panthers away at Pepper Stadium.

More recently last Monday night in Sydney, the playmaker notched 18 out of 30 points for his side in a convincing victory over reigning premiers South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

He transformed a 12-4 half-time deficit to Souths into a 30-12 victory, crossing for two tries, creating a third, and kicking five from six between the posts.

It was the fallout of this match where the highly topical point of conversation of comparing JT and Joey Johns was back on the table.

With everyone else coming out I might as well give in too.

Johnathan Thurston has surpassed Andrew Johns as the best halfback the game has ever seen – but very much in a different age of the game.

I refer to a quote by Joey’s older brother Matthew Johns, who said at about this time of year in 2013 “…Thurston… is not only about to enter the stratosphere of being ranked alongside Allan Langer and Andrew Johns, but he will go past them.”

This is quite humorous to me as at the time I would not have agreed.

But not only has JT exceeded the New South Wales origin legend in the ways of playing the game, but importantly as a role model too.

When it comes to putting the two up against each other off the field, JT wins.

This is remembering that Joey was arrested in London in 2007 for carrying an ecstasy tablet in his pocket, and then admitted in an interview with Phil Gould that he’d been taking recreational drugs for a decade.

In contrast, JT is as clean as they come which is why he can be considered as an impeccable role model for youngsters.

What does speak some volumes is John’s failure to lock down both the NSW and Australian number 7 jersey for a prolonged, sustained period in comparison to Thurston. 

Thurston was also the oldest footballer to run out on the field against Souths which shows how dominant he is in this era where superstars are unearthed season after season.

He holds the Origin points record at 174 while playing a record 30 consecutive Origin games with Darren Lockyer’s unprecedented Origin record of 36 in the picture.

In all honesty though, I have always thought comparing players of different eras interesting but rather silly considering how much the game has changed – just go back to last week’s column to see why.