Role model, family man, NRL legend.
Thirty-two-year-old NRL legend Johnathan Thurston may have just punted the winning goal for the Cowboys in a thrilling Grand Final.
He may have cemented his place in sporting history as one of the greats.
But it was this moment with his daughter Frankie that really made Australia take notice last night.
The photo was taken just moments after Thurston’s team The Cowboys won the NRL grand final.
Thurston, who won the game with a swift right footer in extra time, rightly could have been been screaming and showering himself with a magnum of champers at this moment.
But instead, it was time for his little girl.
Thurston also took home the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground yesterday, it was one of the only times that both the AFL and NRL’s best Grand Final performers have been Indigenous Australians.
The Norm Smith Medal was won by Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli on Saturday.
This was the first NRL grand final between teams with two Indigenous captains.
Top Comments
My heart melted when I saw him kiss his daughter & wife after the game. Got serious couple/family envy. Love JT, what a legend.
Here is a beautiful and proud indigenous man. I know many NRL fans, they all went for the Cowboys last night, because they all adore JT.
Would you ever say about someone who is white, "Here is a beautiful and proud white man?" Look, I know your statement is heartfelt and kind, but I wish we didn't have to mention colour whenever we talk about a non-white person. Every time, it seems. It does come across as mildly patronising in some way.
I would love people to just say "Here is a beautiful and proud family man". When there is no mention of what colour or race he is, and no mention of the colour of the doll either, we might be able to say we've made some progress in this area.
He identifies as indigenous, and I felt the need to identify him as such given the ludicrous labelling of Australians as rascists because of Adam Goodes. Both men are proudly indigenous, and yet one is celebrated and adored, and the other is booed.