Children who attend Monday night's match between Manly Warringah and North Queensland at Brookvale Oval could take home two special mementos.
To co-incide with the battle of the two quality number sevens, the Cowboys' Jonathan Thurston will give away his signed kicking tee used in the match. Sea Eagles half Daly Cherry-Evans will hand over his game worn boots after full-time. Both will give out their gear randomly by picking a child out of the crowd. There is no entry competition.
Thurston was last night named one of the seven greatest half-backs of the past 55 years at a Men of League Gala Dinner and presents a massive danger to Manly-Warringah as they look to continue their finals charge.
Five-eighth Kieran Foran, who will partner Cherry-Evans in the halves, is looking forward to the challenge of playing ‘JT’ again.
“He’s arguably the best player in the game today, and I think he has been for some time now. He's someone that continually turns up and produces in the big games,’’ Foran said.
“You see it as a massive challenge. Every time you come up against JT you want to challenge yourself against the best."
Cherry-Evans said Thurston was a special player.
“What a great opposition to come and watch.The great ‘JT’ is playing, there is a lot of Origin experience in the Cowboys side, so I can’t see why the fans can’t get out there and really cheer us home.”
Evergreen prop Willie Mason said Thurston was the number one player in the NRL.
“He kicks goals, he plays 80 minutes, he kicks under fatigue. I haven't got enough praise for him. You've got to sit back and applaud."
Manly Warringah Coach Geoff Toovey, himself a champion half-back in his playing days, said Thurston was all quality.
"He will go down in history as one of the greats."
Kick-off is 7pm.
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