Former Australian and New South Wales half Brett Kimmorley says back-to-back-to-back The81stMInute Player of the Year and four time Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston is better than Immortal Andrew Johns.

“I’ve played with and against Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer but I think Thurston’s ability to continually win football games while under fatigue and getting smashed is the best ever” Kimmorley wrote for espn.com.au.

“His competitive nature sets him apart – there was a Broncos raid in the second half on Friday night that the Cowboys were able to repel but only because Thurston tackled a player over the sideline as he was about to score.

“When you rewind the play, Thurston was on the other side of the field before the final tackle started yet he was there to save the try for the Cowboys — his competitive nature is unbelievable.

“The amount of running he does, plays the game with a great spirit, gets bashed over on most kicks, has the big blokes continually running at him, there were rumours he had a few injections because he had a virus and he is still the match-winner.”