Benji's magical flick pass still haunts Thurston 13 years on
It has been 13 long years, but Johnathan Thurston is still haunted by Benji Marshall's miracle flick pass.
Two of the game's most successful and popular players will lock horns again in the middle of Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.
And for all of Thurston's brilliant achievements in the game, that night in the 2005 grand final – when Marshall produced one of the most memorable passes in the history of the game to help Wests Tigers to a fairytale premiership – will never be forgotten by the future Immortal.
"It will for the rest of my life,'' Thurston said, when asked if he would be haunted by that moment.
"That grand final was not great for us. Whenever you lose a grand final, it haunts you for the rest of your life, so that will never change.
"Obviously we've competed against each other a lot. Benj is back at his home now and playing some really good footy.
"Coming up against the best players in the world and the quality players are the challenges you enjoy and look forward to.
"He's playing some outstanding footy. He's playing with a lot more control and composure, and that's what you need when you have young blokes around you.
"They've got a team there who compete for everything, they don't go away, they defend extremely well, they put pressure on you with their defence, and they play off the back of that.''
Few players are adored more by fans than Thurston, 35, and 33-year-old Marshall. Both playmakers are Golden Boot and premiership winners, and will even defend on the same side of the field at Leichhardt.
Marshall's famous flick pass to Pat Richards for a long-range try in the Tigers' 30-16 win became part of grand final folklore.
In chilly conditions on Friday night, North Queensland raced to a 20-0 lead against Penrith and clung on for a much-needed 26-20 victory.
Because of the tight turnaround, the Cowboys will remain south of the border this week.
Thurston is in his farewell year and, while it has not gone to script so far, he always knew a win for the Cowboys was not far off if they could show some resolve in defence.
Meanwhile, Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote has ruled out a move to England for the time being, and while he seems unlikely to stay in north Queensland, the only Sydney club in need of an experienced No.1 is the Tigers.
The Tigers, however, are happy to pass on Coote because of his age and the fact they have three other fullbacks on less money in Corey Thompson, Tui Lolohea and even Kevin Naiqama.
That leaves the Gold Coast Titans as the favourites to sign 28-year-old Coote.
His game against Penrith was only his fourth this season and he knows with some more decent performances it will help him land a new deal.
"At this point it's my preference to stay,'' Coote said. "It's been an awesome move for me to be in Townsville, but whatever happens, happens.
"It would be hard to move the family [to England], and I'd try and stay in Australia as long as I can.''
Pressed on why he would be worthy of a new deal, Coote said: "I can bring a lot of energy around the ball, support play and a left-footed kicking game. Experience also comes with age, so hopefully that will get me over the line.''
Coote was worried he could have been moved on a couple of years ago for Kalyn Ponga and said ''there's always someone younger and faster and quicker ready to take your position''.
But Coote, a Penrith junior, said he was delighted Ponga had made such an immediate impact at Newcastle.