Video proves what REALLY happened when footy icon turned Channel Nine star was accused of getting drunk in a casino and then throwing his crutches at a car
The long-time manager of footy legend Johnathan Thurston has revealed how CCTV and hiring a private investigator saved the champion halfback's career at the North Queensland Cowboys when he was almost sacked over a scandalous night out.
It followed an incident in September of 2010 where Thurston was arrested by police outside the Treasury Casino in Brisbane.
After spending the night in lock-up, Thurston flew straight to Townsville for a crisis meeting with the Cowboys board.
They voted for his sacking - but then veteran player agent Sam Ayoub got involved.
'I spent $4000 to hire a private investigator (PI) to prove they had it all wrong with JT,' Ayoub told News Corp.
'At the time, JT was accused of being drunk at the casino and on the p*ss with his crutches.
'He was accused of throwing his crutch at a car while his mates were skylarking.'
A subsequent investigation from the PI found Thurston was innocent and virtually sober, having not finished the one bourbon and coke he purchased at the casino over three and a half hours.
His mates were also the ones carrying on - and Thurston had swung his crutch at a friend in a bid to settle him down.
Ayoub then knew he had an ace up his sleeve as the Cowboys looked to move Thurston on from the club.
After viewing the footage, Thurston was handed another chance.
It proved to be a good outcome for all parties, with Thurston famously guiding North Queensland to the 2015 NRL premiership after his golden point field goal against the Broncos.
Thurston was highly embarrassed following the incident - and a chat at the time with now Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould proved to be life-changing.
'He (Gould) asked me how I wanted to be remembered,' Thurston said.
'If you look at all the great players who were coming to the end of their careers, that's what they were remembered for, playing their best footy at the end.
'Freddy (Brad Fittler), Locky (Darren Lockyer, Joey (Andrew Johns)....those types of blokes had outstanding careers.
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