Now that Johnathan Thurston’s gone, the biggest mistake North Queensland can make is to try to replace him.

That’s how Paul Green sees it as he begins life without the champion No.7 in his squad for the first time in his coaching career.

The legendary Cowboy signed off on a 323-game NRL career the only way he knew how on Saturday, rallying his men from 12 points down at half-time to beat the Gold Coast 30-26.

He had the ball on the string in the second half, with two kicks leading to tries while a massive hit on Titans forward Ryan James sure to feature in highlight reels for years.

Green knows the former Queensland and Australian star will leave a gaping hole at club level, on and off the field.

“It’s a huge transition for us … it’ll be different for all of us when we turn up for training and don’t hear that laugh in the locker room,” Green said.

The coach hopes Thurston’s humility and competitiveness is ingrained in every player who wears a Cowboys jersey.

But, in a situation that compares to Australian cricket’s search for the next Shane Warne, he won’t go looking for one man to fill the void.

“We look forward to it (the challenge),” he said.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way … as long as we don’t fall into a trap of trying to replace him or finding the next JT we’ll be okay.”

Young half Jake Clifford was blooded this year, while Te Maire Martin, Ben Hampton, the returning Michael Morgan and reported recruitment of Ben Barba will ensure there is potency in the backline to complement a forward pack that found form late in the season.

“The playing group that we’ve got, it’s (success) not too far in the future. I expect us to bounce back next year with the roster that we’ve got,” Thurston said.

“I’ve got no worries in my mind that the club will be a success in the future.”