Ever since he graduated to "elite" status I've felt Thurston was a little overrated. A fine player for sure, but not really a complete halfback- does anyone else see it that way? His passing game always seems a bit laboured to me, can he even really pass left to right?? He's kinda like Alan Langer imo, an elite half without necessarily having all the impeccable skills you might expect of one.
I just can't see Thurston as #1, it's gotta be one of Smith/Inglis/Slater doesn't it?
Thurston is a five-eighth playing in the #7 jersey. He's fast, got a great passing game and excellent vision. Also got a pretty handy short kicking game, and his defence is pretty good for a little bloke.
His long kicking is average. And this year he's been disappointing, he isn't showing any creativity or variation in his game, it's just show-and-go, put a crappy little low kick in that doesn't put the fullback under any pressure, then throw a long pass to Tonga or a short pass to Bolton and hope they barge over the line.
I don't know whether it's because he's struggled with injury this season, because our outside backs are so awful or because Neil Henry has him stuck permanently on the left side of the field.
If I were starting a new team from scratch, the first player I'd pick would be Cameron Smith. The Storm just fall apart without him, despite having a team well and truly over the cap.
