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<big>Thurston wins Golden Boot gong</big>
Ian Laybourn AAP Fri, Dec 02, 2011 - 6:09 PMAustralia’s Four Nations final man-of-the-match Johnathan Thurston has claimed the 2011 Golden Boot award.
The honour is awarded annually to the game’s top international player by Rugby League World Magazine.
North Queensland’s Thurston pipped 2007 winner Cameron Smith, his Kangaroos team-mate, with retired Australia captain Darren Lockyer in third place ahead of the England trio of Sam Tomkins, James Graham and Ryan Hall from the six-strong short-list.
Thurston’s stand-out performance in Australia’s 30-8 triumph over England in last month’s Four Nations decider helped the North Queensland captain seal the gong.
The winner is determined in a poll of past winners and media representatives.
The award maintains the southern hemisphere stranglehold on the prestigious award, with Ellery Hanley, Garry Schofield and Andrew Farrell the only Englishmen among the 21 previous winners going back to 1984.
"It was one of the closest races for the Golden Boot in years, which emphasises just how much fantastic talent there is in our game at the highest level, said Rugby League World editor John Drake.
“The award recognises a whole year of performances at domestic and international level and Johnathan’s match-winning performance in the biggest game of the season, the Four Nations final against England, proved he is a worthy recipient.”
Leeds winger Hall and St Helens prop Graham, shortly to join Sydney club Canterbury Bulldogs, gained some consolation by being named in Rugby League World’s annual World XIII, again dominated by Australians.
International rugby league team of the year: Billy Slater (Melbourne), Akuila Uate (Newcastle), Greg Inglis (South Sydney), Jaime Lyon (Manly), Ryan Hall (Leeds), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), James Graham (St Helens), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Anthony Watmough (Manly).
http://www.nrl.com/thurston-wins-golden-boot-gong/tabid/10874/newsid/65560/default.aspx
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International rugby league team of the year: ……Jaime Lyon (Manly)…
Chris’s spot sooner than later
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No drama’s here, well deserved for Thurston.
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Don’t agree missed a lot of footy with injury. Billy slater should of won it IMO
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Good on Thurston but Cam Smith must have been close.
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@smoking gun:
Don’t agree missed a lot of footy with injury. Billy slater should of won it IMO
Yeah a few names come into contention Slater ,Gallen and Smith come to mind
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Jamie Lyons,
International centre. :wtf -
Few token pommies in that team
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Thurston deserved it, he was amazing in the 4 nations.
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Am I blind, or no Marshall in that team?
Although he was pretty average during the 4 nations.
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From a rep perspective, there’s none better than Thurston, and in all honesty he was nailed on favourite for the Dally M before getting injured. He never really recovered his form in the club season.
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Am I blind, or no Marshall in that team?
Although he was pretty average during the 4 nations.
These awards are generally weighted towards international games, with that in mind I have no idea why Lyon is there (although he was incredibly good for Manly this season).
