BRISBANE BRONCOS STUN THE NRL: JONATHAN THURSTON JOINS AS ASSISTANT COACH IN BLOCKBUSTER MOVE TO CHASE 2025 PREMIERSHIP
In what can only be described as one of the most stunning off-field coups in NRL history, the Brisbane Broncos have officially announced the signing of Jonathan Thurston as their new assistant coach for the 2025 season. The move has sent shockwaves across the rugby league world, with fans, pundits, and even rival clubs still struggling to process the news.
Thurston, a future Immortal and one of the greatest playmakers ever to grace the game, will join Kevin Walters’ coaching staff as the Broncos prepare for an all-out assault on next year’s premiership. The club’s decision to bring in the former North Queensland Cowboys icon—a man who once stood as their fiercest rival—marks a bold and calculated statement of intent: the Broncos want the 2025 title, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
According to sources within the club, the negotiations were conducted under extreme secrecy, with only a handful of top-level officials aware of the discussions. The agreement reportedly came together after several private meetings between Thurston and Walters, who share a long history of mutual respect and Queensland Origin camaraderie. Both men were key figures in the Maroons’ golden State of Origin era, and now they will reunite to bring that same winning DNA to Red Hill.
Fans are already buzzing with excitement. Social media has exploded with reactions ranging from disbelief to pure euphoria. “I never thought I’d see JT in Broncos colours,” one fan wrote. “But if anyone can teach our halves how to control a game like a master, it’s him.” Others have called the signing “the smartest move Brisbane has made in a decade.”
Thurston’s impact is expected to be immediate. Known for his elite game management, composure under pressure, and unmatched football IQ, he is likely to play a major role in developing young talents like Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, and Adam Reynolds’ potential successor. His tactical insight and leadership are seen as the missing pieces that could transform the Broncos from contenders into unstoppable champions.
From a rivalry standpoint, the signing carries enormous symbolic weight. For years, Thurston was the face of the Cowboys, the man who broke Broncos hearts in the 2015 Grand Final with his unforgettable golden-point field goal. Now, ten years later, he returns to Suncorp Stadium—not as an enemy, but as a mentor and architect of Brisbane’s redemption story.
Kevin Walters, in a brief statement, said: “JT brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and experience. His presence alone will lift our standards. We’re building something special here, and having him on board shows how serious we are.”
If this gamble pays off, the Broncos may not just win a premiership—they could begin a new dynasty. One thing is certain: Jonathan Thurston’s move to Brisbane has just rewritten the script for the 2025 NRL
season.
