The North Queensland maestro Johnathan Thurston appears set for yet another dominant State of Origin series after steering the Cowboys to a 32-12 National Rugby League win over Newcastle last night.
In his last club game before Origin I, Thurston was the master puppeteer, playing a role in four of the Cowboys' five tries as winger Ashley Graham scored with yet another double to take his tally to an NRL-best 11.
Thurston also managed five conversions and a penalty.
The match finished with a bizarre Cowboys try featuring four kicks, Gavin Cooper eventually diving on the ball to complete an amazing sequence which started in their own half.