Johnathan Thurston’s final NRL game has drawn unparalleled interest on the Gold Coast, with the Titans selling out a home clash for the first time in club history.
Tickets were exhausted one week out from the clash in a coup for the lowly Titans and a nod to Thurston’s pulling power as he bids farewell to a career that began in 2002.
Club officials can’t recall an official sell-out in any of the side’s 11 seasons and rookie coach Garth Brennan will have one of the best seats in the house.
“It’s a fantastic occasion and you are genuinely talking to me … I’m probably his biggest fan,” Brennan said after his side’s 10-8 loss to Melbourne.
The Cowboys’ 44-6 defeat of Parramatta helped them off the bottom of the ladder, with Thurston starring in his final Townsville game on Friday night.
The Titans are also out of the finals race, but after another tight loss to a top-eight side the coach would love to spoil Thurston’s farewell party on the Glitter Strip.
“He’s a super player, been fantastic for the game and he’s done everything in the game,” he said
“He just doesn’t need the two points next week, he had his two points last night.
“One thing you know about JT, no matter whether it’s rugby league or marbles, he’s going to compete.”
The Titans’ loss to the Storm followed a gutting golden point loss to Penrith in their last start at home, while they were also pipped at the post by Cronulla at CBus Super Stadium earlier this year.
“I feel for our fans and our supporters, because they’re going away without the two points,” Brennan said.
“But hopefully they’re going away proud of our performance and hey, we’re not far away.
“We’ve got to dust ourselves off and play some good footy to make sure we send our fans and supporters off with a smile on their face more so than JT’s face. He’s had enough smiles.”