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Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography
The bestselling autobiography of a league legend.Johnathan Thurston is widely regarded as rugby league's greatest player. This autobiography will follow Thurston's journey from a Brisbane kid who was written off as too skinny, too slow and too wild to play professionally, to his debut with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2003, to State of Origin star, to Dally M and Clive Churchill Medal winner, and the fairytale premierships.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 15, 2022
The opening chapter describes the Cowboys win in the 2015 grand final. It was into golden point time, with JT kicking the winning field goal as the final whistle blew. It was nail biting. It was emotional. Time stood still. And I was there! Yes, I was one of the roaring 80,000 plus crowd, watching, waiting and holding my breath, praying for a miracle to happen. And it did. Because JT is an utterly phenomenal footy player. And he never gives up.
I burst into tears when he kicked that goal. It was such a MOMENT. Priceless. One you never forget. Never mind that the bloke behind me spilt his beer over my jersey as he jumped up in excitement (and he was going for the opposing team!). It was incredible, and amazing. I still get a buzz thinking about it. Final score Cowboys 17 – Broncos 16.
It’s apt that JT begins his story here. With this amazing grand final win. As this is the goal that he was working toward from when he first joined the Cowboys back in 2005. To bring his beloved Cowboys to a grand final and to win.
Always being a sporty rather than academic kid, JT talks about his upbringing in Brisbane. About loving all sport, from track and field, to cricket and eventually settling in with footy (lucky for us). The carrot dangled before him as a four year old was being offered $1 by his Dad to be a ball boy on the side lines. And $1 could buy a heck of a lot of lollies in the canteen back in those days.
I really enjoyed the conversational tone of this book. I could well imagine the words coming out of JT's mouth. There's nothing contrived about it.
A solid 3.5★s
As sporting bios go, I have to say this is one is pretty good. He doesn't shy away from showing the good, the bad and the ugly side of his journey into sporting superstardom. And I had no idea he was into a bit of petty crime in his early teens, so the book is honest and open. It was funny reading about players who were massive in forming his dedication to being the very best (such as Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns to name a few). And I'd forgotten about some of the scandals over the years, such as the Bulldogs being stripped of all points due to wage capping violations. What we see on the field is only an iota of what's going on off the field.
Such a humble and all round good bloke. His interaction is fabulous after matches, giving away his headgear and signing autographs for kids, nothing is too much trouble. He is an absolute ambassador for the game. And that laugh!💖
JT, you'll be sorely missed on the field this year.
"I made a promise to myself: You are not going to be a one-year wonder."
*Cowboys = North Queensland Cowboys
** Golden point time = a sudden death overtime system, used to resolve drawn football matches.
*** JT = Johnathan Thurston (of course)
I burst into tears when he kicked that goal. It was such a MOMENT. Priceless. One you never forget. Never mind that the bloke behind me spilt his beer over my jersey as he jumped up in excitement (and he was going for the opposing team!). It was incredible, and amazing. I still get a buzz thinking about it. Final score Cowboys 17 – Broncos 16.
It’s apt that JT begins his story here. With this amazing grand final win. As this is the goal that he was working toward from when he first joined the Cowboys back in 2005. To bring his beloved Cowboys to a grand final and to win.
Always being a sporty rather than academic kid, JT talks about his upbringing in Brisbane. About loving all sport, from track and field, to cricket and eventually settling in with footy (lucky for us). The carrot dangled before him as a four year old was being offered $1 by his Dad to be a ball boy on the side lines. And $1 could buy a heck of a lot of lollies in the canteen back in those days.
I really enjoyed the conversational tone of this book. I could well imagine the words coming out of JT's mouth. There's nothing contrived about it.
A solid 3.5★s
As sporting bios go, I have to say this is one is pretty good. He doesn't shy away from showing the good, the bad and the ugly side of his journey into sporting superstardom. And I had no idea he was into a bit of petty crime in his early teens, so the book is honest and open. It was funny reading about players who were massive in forming his dedication to being the very best (such as Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns to name a few). And I'd forgotten about some of the scandals over the years, such as the Bulldogs being stripped of all points due to wage capping violations. What we see on the field is only an iota of what's going on off the field.
Such a humble and all round good bloke. His interaction is fabulous after matches, giving away his headgear and signing autographs for kids, nothing is too much trouble. He is an absolute ambassador for the game. And that laugh!💖
JT, you'll be sorely missed on the field this year.
"I made a promise to myself: You are not going to be a one-year wonder."
*Cowboys = North Queensland Cowboys
** Golden point time = a sudden death overtime system, used to resolve drawn football matches.
*** JT = Johnathan Thurston (of course)
June 19, 2020
Did I learn much, no.
Did it confirm a lot of things for me, yes.
JT is a humble man, he has an infectious smile and a great laugh. The book captured his voice beautifully.
The reason why he loves the game so much is quite clear, JT even recognises it himself. He loves the game because without it, he would have been nothing. He had no other real prospects and opportunities ahead of him in life. He was a gifted footballer from a young age and he put all his eggs in one basket. Rugby League or nothing.
Well he got rugby league and rugby league got him.
The kid they all thought was too small will forever be known as an immortal of the game.
I would have loved some more insight on tactics, strategies, game plans etc. Also more of a view of his teammates but you really have to settle for confirmation of the things you already knew.
Players
Cameron Smith: Is a brilliant player, was incredibly strong for his size from a very young age. His single greatest attribute is to remain calm in the face of everything. He has a razor sharp focus on the field. He also changed the way hookers play, controlling the game a lot more and not just leaving it for the halves. He trash talks more than anyone else in the game.
Steve Price: Great bloke, good leader, excellent player. Showed JT the ropes a little bit in how to conduct yourself as a professional.
Andrew Johns: Was a brilliant player, JT looked up to him and was schooled by him when they played each other. His most nervous match was playing against Andrew Johns because that expectation to equal Johns' greatness was so big.
Darren Lockyer: Was a brilliant player, he was always calm in the face of adversity and he was absolutely no bullshit. Much like Cameron Smith he was exceptionally skilled and incredibly calm. He backed JT when he fucked up but he really believed in the huge privilege of playing for Queensland and wouldn't see that jeopardised by anyone. JT's second most nervous match was filling Darren Lockyer's jersey.
Matt Bowen: Insanely fast, great hands, natural footballer. He didn't like to train that much but he loved to play and boy could he play.
Greg Inglis: Absolute athletic freak. Thurston just talks about his power. Not great in the gym but put him on the field and he's the strongest player out there.
Israel Folau: Insanely skilled and gifted player.
Kalyn Ponga: shredding the Cowboys team in training, can tell he's going to be incredible.
Gavin Cooper: One of his best mates. A great bloke and worked really well with Thurston on the field. Not a freak athlete just a hard worker.
Michael Morgan: Gifted player and should be the heir apparent to JT at both the Cowboys and in the Maroons.
Needed more on Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and a few of his current teammates.
Coaches
Thurston's assessment of coaches seems to run on two things. Whether they're a good man manager (good at mentally motivating players) and what their tactical knowledge was like. Many of the coaches seem to have one but not the other.
Steve Folkes: Thurston thought he was good as a coach and a man. It's interesting to see a different era. Professionalism had yet to really fully take over the league (possibly still hasn't). The team was very good and so Folkes had great players to work with. Thurston doesn't go much into his strategy but he does show Folkes firing the boys up by using the media and he demonstrates that he was a great man manager.
Ricky Stuart: Understanding and player focused coach. Thurston speaks very highly of Stuart and believes he's a brilliant coach.
Graham Murray: Was part of the reason JT moved to the Cowboys. Thurston thought he was a good coach and a good person. He didn't believe he deserved to get the boot but he recognised that the club needed results.
Ian Millward: Pretty much hopeless. The only discussion of his tactics was to play negatively against the Storm and try to starve them of the ball.
Neil Henry: Of course this would be a bit controversial. He felt that Henry was tactically an excellent coach but that he wasn't a great man manager and that was his major problem. He said that he was the best assistant coach he'd ever had but when he arrived back at the Cowboys to be the Head Coach he was a completely different man and it just didn't work. It seems that Henry understands the game incredibly well but is not great at motivating players and getting them to put everything they have into the jersey.
Paul Green: Green started from the ground up when he got to the Cowboys. Took all the skeletons out of the closet and threw them as far away as he could. Thurston said he knew early on they would eventually get a premiership under Green. Of his coaching he said he trained the full squad not just the 13 starters which Thurston thought worked really well. He also said that he managed to get intensity into training but not in a dumb run 1000's of miles way. Green seemed to have a perfect balance of man management and tactical nous. There's discussion about Green being great for Queensland but Thurston thinks he wouldn't have been able to do both jobs and so it was right he didn't get the job. Interestingly, Thurston doesn't mention Green when he talks about the horrible 2018.
Mal Meninga: Thurston says that Mal's greatest strength was understanding the players and understanding what they wanted. He knew they wanted to party and so when they partied he wanted them to go all out and facilitated that. But you had to do it at the right time. Thurston says that Meninga wasn't big on strategy and largely let the players do the tactics but he said Meninga is to thank for the dynasty, he put that belief into the players and built a team they would die for.
If you're not going to read the book then listening to this song and watching the video is a good substitute.
Did it confirm a lot of things for me, yes.
JT is a humble man, he has an infectious smile and a great laugh. The book captured his voice beautifully.
The reason why he loves the game so much is quite clear, JT even recognises it himself. He loves the game because without it, he would have been nothing. He had no other real prospects and opportunities ahead of him in life. He was a gifted footballer from a young age and he put all his eggs in one basket. Rugby League or nothing.
Well he got rugby league and rugby league got him.
The kid they all thought was too small will forever be known as an immortal of the game.
I would have loved some more insight on tactics, strategies, game plans etc. Also more of a view of his teammates but you really have to settle for confirmation of the things you already knew.
Players
Cameron Smith: Is a brilliant player, was incredibly strong for his size from a very young age. His single greatest attribute is to remain calm in the face of everything. He has a razor sharp focus on the field. He also changed the way hookers play, controlling the game a lot more and not just leaving it for the halves. He trash talks more than anyone else in the game.
Steve Price: Great bloke, good leader, excellent player. Showed JT the ropes a little bit in how to conduct yourself as a professional.
Andrew Johns: Was a brilliant player, JT looked up to him and was schooled by him when they played each other. His most nervous match was playing against Andrew Johns because that expectation to equal Johns' greatness was so big.
Darren Lockyer: Was a brilliant player, he was always calm in the face of adversity and he was absolutely no bullshit. Much like Cameron Smith he was exceptionally skilled and incredibly calm. He backed JT when he fucked up but he really believed in the huge privilege of playing for Queensland and wouldn't see that jeopardised by anyone. JT's second most nervous match was filling Darren Lockyer's jersey.
Matt Bowen: Insanely fast, great hands, natural footballer. He didn't like to train that much but he loved to play and boy could he play.
Greg Inglis: Absolute athletic freak. Thurston just talks about his power. Not great in the gym but put him on the field and he's the strongest player out there.
Israel Folau: Insanely skilled and gifted player.
Kalyn Ponga: shredding the Cowboys team in training, can tell he's going to be incredible.
Gavin Cooper: One of his best mates. A great bloke and worked really well with Thurston on the field. Not a freak athlete just a hard worker.
Michael Morgan: Gifted player and should be the heir apparent to JT at both the Cowboys and in the Maroons.
Needed more on Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and a few of his current teammates.
Coaches
Thurston's assessment of coaches seems to run on two things. Whether they're a good man manager (good at mentally motivating players) and what their tactical knowledge was like. Many of the coaches seem to have one but not the other.
Steve Folkes: Thurston thought he was good as a coach and a man. It's interesting to see a different era. Professionalism had yet to really fully take over the league (possibly still hasn't). The team was very good and so Folkes had great players to work with. Thurston doesn't go much into his strategy but he does show Folkes firing the boys up by using the media and he demonstrates that he was a great man manager.
Ricky Stuart: Understanding and player focused coach. Thurston speaks very highly of Stuart and believes he's a brilliant coach.
Graham Murray: Was part of the reason JT moved to the Cowboys. Thurston thought he was a good coach and a good person. He didn't believe he deserved to get the boot but he recognised that the club needed results.
Ian Millward: Pretty much hopeless. The only discussion of his tactics was to play negatively against the Storm and try to starve them of the ball.
Neil Henry: Of course this would be a bit controversial. He felt that Henry was tactically an excellent coach but that he wasn't a great man manager and that was his major problem. He said that he was the best assistant coach he'd ever had but when he arrived back at the Cowboys to be the Head Coach he was a completely different man and it just didn't work. It seems that Henry understands the game incredibly well but is not great at motivating players and getting them to put everything they have into the jersey.
Paul Green: Green started from the ground up when he got to the Cowboys. Took all the skeletons out of the closet and threw them as far away as he could. Thurston said he knew early on they would eventually get a premiership under Green. Of his coaching he said he trained the full squad not just the 13 starters which Thurston thought worked really well. He also said that he managed to get intensity into training but not in a dumb run 1000's of miles way. Green seemed to have a perfect balance of man management and tactical nous. There's discussion about Green being great for Queensland but Thurston thinks he wouldn't have been able to do both jobs and so it was right he didn't get the job. Interestingly, Thurston doesn't mention Green when he talks about the horrible 2018.
Mal Meninga: Thurston says that Mal's greatest strength was understanding the players and understanding what they wanted. He knew they wanted to party and so when they partied he wanted them to go all out and facilitated that. But you had to do it at the right time. Thurston says that Meninga wasn't big on strategy and largely let the players do the tactics but he said Meninga is to thank for the dynasty, he put that belief into the players and built a team they would die for.
If you're not going to read the book then listening to this song and watching the video is a good substitute.
October 25, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this journey of the legend - coming from humble beginnings, almost going totally off the rails in his early teens, being put back on the right path by loving family, the ratbag years of his early career, to the ornament of the game that we now know JT has evolved into.
A top read for all league fans.
A top read for all league fans.
April 9, 2020
It's like sitting in front of JT and hearing all of it from the man himself! I mean ALL including his infectious laugh - Ha! I've read numerous autobiographies before (mostly soccer) but I must say I've throughly enjoyed this one. An honest, deeply personal account of JT's ups and downs - it's like being taken along the journey of a legend in the making. Not bad for a great white who initially thought he was a small fish, hey. And just in case you're wondering JT, I'm one of them who bought your book. All the best you legend!!! A great and entertaining read.
P/S: page 269: Ryan Giggs is not English :)
P/S: page 269: Ryan Giggs is not English :)
January 31, 2019
What a great book! Real. Honest. Plenty of laughs...
January 8, 2019
Full disclosure - I’m a total JT fan and admirer, so I was keen to read his story. What I really enjoyed about the book was the voice. Even though James Phelps has clearly guided, JT’s voice throughout is as clear as a bell.
There’s a strange mix of pride and humility in JT. He knows he’s as good as the best, but still retains a respect for all players. He doesn’t work hard at school, but works like a Trojan at improving his game. He’s naive, sometimes drawn into trouble, yet he’s smart enough to extract himself and turn his life around.
This book was easy to read, funny, sad, and a fascinating insight into a kid from the suburbs who has become a sporting icon and role model. I loved it.
There’s a strange mix of pride and humility in JT. He knows he’s as good as the best, but still retains a respect for all players. He doesn’t work hard at school, but works like a Trojan at improving his game. He’s naive, sometimes drawn into trouble, yet he’s smart enough to extract himself and turn his life around.
This book was easy to read, funny, sad, and a fascinating insight into a kid from the suburbs who has become a sporting icon and role model. I loved it.
January 5, 2019
Awesome read! Such a humble and inspiring man. Devoured this book.
October 1, 2021
“I don’t have to tell you, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a more passionate Queenslander, and mate, for what you’ve done for this jersey, I don’t think we can ever thank you enough. I know there’s been plenty said but mate, you’re the greatest player to have ever pulled on this jersey. I want to thank you on behalf of the team and everyone here for everything you’ve done” - Cameron Smith Queensland State of Origin (Australian Kangaroo and Melbourne Storm Captain) Captain’s acceptance speech State of Origin Decider 2017.
Many people say that Cameron Smith is one of the best State of Origin and Rugby League players of all time. To him to say this of Jonathan Thurston just sums up the player that JT has become.
Jonathan Thurston’s story is remarkable one about ‘how a skinny kid from Brisbane taught himself to play rugby league in his own backyard. How he refused to believe all the knockers, those who said he would never play in the NRL (too skinny too small) and how he kept himself going despite all the knock-backs” (James Phelps)
Jonathan Thurston ended up playing 300 NRL games, the majority of those for the Cowboys. In 2015 he became the first ever four time Dally M player and the first ever three time winner of the Golden Boot Award for the world’s best player.
In 2017 Jonathan Thurston became the Queenslander Australian of the Year.
Despite all these accolades Jonathan has remained humble and grounded and just thrilled to be playing the game he loves. A game that has transformed him into the person he is today in the way he gives back to the community and through his indigenous heritage.
JT has continued to give his head gear away in each rugby league game he played. He is also known to give away a lot of his other sporting gear in way to help brighten other peoples’ lives.
Jonathan Thurston in 2018 started the JT Academy to make a difference in the community. The JT Academy exists to help people in the community be able to achieve their dreams through its sporting, academic, capacity building and employment pathways programs.
The JT Academy goes to show the measure of the man Jonathan Thurston who is always keen to give back.
This book is also a love story between Jonathan and his wife Samantha and their girls. JT is a committed family man and it is his family that has kept him grounded and helped make him the man he is today
Kudos to you JT and into the future and all that will be accomplished through the JT Academy
Many people say that Cameron Smith is one of the best State of Origin and Rugby League players of all time. To him to say this of Jonathan Thurston just sums up the player that JT has become.
Jonathan Thurston’s story is remarkable one about ‘how a skinny kid from Brisbane taught himself to play rugby league in his own backyard. How he refused to believe all the knockers, those who said he would never play in the NRL (too skinny too small) and how he kept himself going despite all the knock-backs” (James Phelps)
Jonathan Thurston ended up playing 300 NRL games, the majority of those for the Cowboys. In 2015 he became the first ever four time Dally M player and the first ever three time winner of the Golden Boot Award for the world’s best player.
In 2017 Jonathan Thurston became the Queenslander Australian of the Year.
Despite all these accolades Jonathan has remained humble and grounded and just thrilled to be playing the game he loves. A game that has transformed him into the person he is today in the way he gives back to the community and through his indigenous heritage.
JT has continued to give his head gear away in each rugby league game he played. He is also known to give away a lot of his other sporting gear in way to help brighten other peoples’ lives.
Jonathan Thurston in 2018 started the JT Academy to make a difference in the community. The JT Academy exists to help people in the community be able to achieve their dreams through its sporting, academic, capacity building and employment pathways programs.
The JT Academy goes to show the measure of the man Jonathan Thurston who is always keen to give back.
This book is also a love story between Jonathan and his wife Samantha and their girls. JT is a committed family man and it is his family that has kept him grounded and helped make him the man he is today
Kudos to you JT and into the future and all that will be accomplished through the JT Academy
December 22, 2018
I loved learning more about the legend that is JT. His story shows how determination and hard work pay off. Such an amazing, humble human. His chapter about Test Rugby in England had me giggling so hard over Thaiday and Cam Smith.
May 23, 2019
I had the privilege of being present at the 2015 NRL Grand Final and it remains to date, the best game of sport (regardless of code) that I've ever seen - I am a proud Victorian and a Melbourne Storm supporter but I will always hold a soft spot for JT and the North Queensland Cowboys after that game. A wonderful read, one that you can just hear his voice jumping off the pages and with that characteristic laugh too. I love a good sports biography, and this is definitely one I will read again - a wonderful read about footy, family, and never giving up.
November 18, 2018
This is a very easy read. It gives you a small glimpse into the genius that is Johnathon Thurston. I admire the honesty he has in this book and how he even talks about those moments in his life that were embarrassing and he regrets. What a legend!!!
December 14, 2019
I had trouble putting this book down. I picked it up in an attempt to broaden by reading and a sports bio was as far away from anything I normally read. I enjoyed the openness style of this book and found it wasn't too overly detailed when it are to the technical side of the sport. I would recommend this as a fantastic bio where the consistent values of integrity, determination and respect have guided, shaped and brought much success to the life of JT and can serve as motivation and inspiration for others.
January 22, 2021
I began reading ready to dislike this book but determined to read it as it was a gift. What a surprise! It turned out to be a well-written and informative chronology of many of the events in modern Queensland Rugby League history and answered many of the questions behind various games and events in JT's career that have left me asking, "I wonder what happened?" at the time.
The book is well written in that it flows well and never gets boring.
The events chronicled are recent enough to make them still of interest to the RL fan - especially QUEENSLANDERS and Cowboys fans.
I expected to take a month to 'plough through' the book but finished it in three days.
I recommend it as a 'good-read'.
The book is well written in that it flows well and never gets boring.
The events chronicled are recent enough to make them still of interest to the RL fan - especially QUEENSLANDERS and Cowboys fans.
I expected to take a month to 'plough through' the book but finished it in three days.
I recommend it as a 'good-read'.
May 31, 2024
Raw and unapologetic. JT didn’t sugar coat it, especially with the ups and downs of his career and life. This book made me laugh out loud at some points, especially the anecdote about the sperm donation. Just a feel good book from a bloke who always seems to smile and laugh, whilst also being comfortable to cry. Good onya JT.
January 7, 2019
OMG. Not gonna lie, I did shed s few tears there at the end. It is people like JT who make me feel like s proud Aussie. He took his dark times and turned them upside down for the better. He was and still is such an inspiration to many Australians both young and old. -4.5
January 11, 2019
It is a fantastic insight into how a legend thinks and feels throughout all the highs and lows in his life. Well written, however you can feel his personality through the pages. It made me laugh and cry just as he did. What a legend!
September 26, 2021
Easy enjoyable read from a legend of the game. Lot of the hard work was done when he was a small boy. This was the best part of the book. Again shows that legends are born from years of out working everyone else.
July 15, 2022
While I am not the biggest NRL fan, I do love JT. It was great having a listen in the car and showing Mr 8 some of the NRL hero's from before he was born (especially as he is a little fella who ears headgear too)
December 2, 2023
Great read for anyone who loves rugby league or sport in general. Also highlights his commitment to community and indigenous pathways. If you were ever told you were too small or didn’t have what it takes to get anywhere then give this a read.
January 18, 2024
I am not a football fan but my niece thought I should read this. I am glad I accepted the challenge. I felt as though I was having a conversation with him and so it was an emotional roller coaster ride as I experienced the highs and lows of his career, dreams and goals. In fact, there were tears.
January 11, 2026
It took me almost ten years to finally finish this book.
As someone who isn’t an NRL fan, I think that’s why I struggled - there’s a lot of focus on the games and players (who I dont know), whereas I would have loved more insight into JT’s personal life.
As someone who isn’t an NRL fan, I think that’s why I struggled - there’s a lot of focus on the games and players (who I dont know), whereas I would have loved more insight into JT’s personal life.
August 3, 2019
Such an enjoyable, easy-to-read book. JT's personality and sense of humour really come through
September 27, 2019
absolute superstar of the NRL and i loved reading his book even if i still have no idea what NRL is.
February 28, 2020
Great book loved the stories and the struggles. Felt like a good view into JT's life!
November 15, 2020
What a true sporting legend.
August 4, 2021
This is an Amazing book about him. He is one of my favorite NRL players 😁
November 19, 2021
I think the book was a very detailed expression about how JT's life played out and how so many people doubted him to do what he does.
December 27, 2021
Great read on Thursto and his emotional ride through Rugby League. It was great to be there the day he captained the Cowboys to their first Grand Final win .
February 28, 2024
It’s an easy listen. It helps if you have a general idea about rugby league and what it is.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews