NRL star Johnathan Thurston is hoping to recover from a recent calf injury in time to play in the inaugural Frownlow Medal Rugby League Super Series.
Thurston is attacking his recovery routine with gusto in order to ensure selection in one of the four teams in the series. Each team will be comprised entirely of current NRL players whose off-field antics have earned them nominations for Frownlow honours.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. Kiwi international and Sydney Roosters player Shaun Kenny Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while Corey Norman from the Parramatta Eels won in 2016.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Todd Carney.
Johnathan was nominated for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame after he got his Thirst On.
In 2008, he was charged with public drunkenness after being arrested semi-naked outside his flat, while in 2010 he was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct outside the Treasury Casino in Brisbane where he was said to be ‘grossly intoxicated’.
When asked about the importance of the Super Series, the Kangaroos and Origin legend just laughed.
It is not yet known if Thurston will play in Team ‘Booze Ban‘, Team ‘Idol‘, Team ‘Rehab‘ or Team ‘Scandal‘, as his record would qualify him for any team.
It is also not clear which player he would replace, but, as one of the game’s greatest ever players, Thurston would be guaranteed a spot in any team in the world.
Thurston and Super Series organisers are confident that the half-back will be fit enough to play, as the flexible Round-Robin format has been designed to fit in with State of Origin, as well as players’ injuries and court appearances.
Image:Nuna
First published in April,2017.
The Frownlow Medal 