The Pre-Game Tribute To Origin Legend JT Made Every Damn Person Sob

Thanks to the fact they were raised with the belief that expressing your emotions is a character weakness, there are two places that emotionally repressed Australian dads feel comfortable crying: daughters’ weddings and Origin matches. I was at Suncorp for Darren Lockyer‘s final Origin match and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many people openly weep in one place. It was emotional stuff.

There was no way it wasn’t going to be the same tonight. With Johnathan ‘Best Player In The League’ Thurston missing out on Game III thanks to a year-ending shoulder injury, in an Origin series that might well be his last, it was always going to be emotional.

I’m a bit sensitive but I was on the bloody verge of tears just watching him walk out:

Tribute for a legend. ???? #QLDER pic.twitter.com/ee58sLhMEw

— Queensland Maroons (@QLDmaroons) July 12, 2017

He held it together beautifully though, saying he’s happy to watch from the box and encouraging the side to get in and get the job done – even managed a few of his signature chuckles, the angel:

Suncorp says farewell to a legend!#Origin#NRL pic.twitter.com/tfecrz254r

— NRL (@NRL) July 12, 2017

He got a well-earned standing ovation as he walked off and, clearly, people were a bit moved:

Every #QLDER watching the JT video on TV right now #origin pic.twitter.com/6kD8b6aH0E

— hit105 (@hit105Brisbane) July 12, 2017

Johnathan Thurston is the greatest bloke in the history of the world #Origin

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) July 12, 2017

Even as a Blues fan, it’s hard to not feel slightly emotional after seeing that VT about Thurston #origin

— Matt Blades (@mblades_ysp) July 12, 2017

Thurston tribute. Tears. #Origin

— Ralph Tucker (@rtuck17) July 12, 2017

How was that crowd for Thurston? Not a minute of the game played and I’m in tears. #SOO

— Tracey Holmes (@TraceyLeeHolmes) July 12, 2017

Mate, you’ll be sorely, sorely missed. (He’s definitely still alive, just to clarify, just very, very well-liked).