Thurston is already an Immortal: Meninga

No matter what happens next in the NRL finals, Queensland coach Mal Meninga believes Johnathan Thurston has done enough to be considered a future Immortal.

Ex-Test international Matt Johns had suggested Thurston would be “assured of Immortal status” if he guided the North Queensland Cowboys to their first premiership this year.

However, Meninga – a 2012 Immortal nominee – believed the 31-year-old Thurston’s resume already spoke for itself.

“I don’t think it (him winning another title) should be part of the criteria at all … when it comes to how good a player he is,” said Meninga.

“One of the (Immortal) criteria is longevity and he has been at the pinnacle of the game for such a long period of time and he’s still the best player in the competition.”

Meninga was nominated along with Ron Coote and Norm Provan but lost out to Andrew Johns when the eighth Immortal was announced two years ago.

Thurston has already tasted premiership success, albeit 10 years ago as a Bulldogs reserve.

It is now part of NRL folklore that Thurston handed his ring to injured skipper Steve Price because “it didn’t feel right” receiving it on the winners’ podium.

But Johns believed earning an historic ring with the Cowboys would cap a glittering career.

“If he can guide this Cowboys team to the title, he will be assured of Immortal status,” he wrote in his News Corp column.

However, injured Cowboys veteran Brent Tate believed his Test and Queensland teammate had already earned entry into rugby league’s most exclusive club.

“I think he is an Immortal now,” he said.

“Look at his record – it is long and illustrious.

“He’s already won a premiership. His record is amazing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won another Dally M (his third).

“In my eyes he doesn’t need any more accolades to become an Immortal – he is already one in waiting.”

Thurston was keeping his mind on the task at hand on Thursday – especially after Brisbane threatened to reel in a 24-0 halftime lead in the Cowboys’ 32-20 elimination final win last weekend.

“That was more the mental side of the game,” Thurston said.

“At 24-0 we knew they were going to come out with their tails up and we allowed them to do that.”

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