JT calls for Origin to go three in a row

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JOHNATHAN Thurston has slammed NRL officials for allowing the State of Origin schedule to become "borderline ridiculous".

The game's best playmaker said the series must become a stand-alone event with the three Origins played on consecutive Wednesdays with players banned from competing for their clubs in between.

Thurston said players backing up for their NRL clubs following an Origin game was becoming a serious welfare issue.

WAYNE BENNETT'S ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

DCE'S KNEE INJURY IMPROVING

Johnathan Thurston at Queensland training. Source: News Corp Australia

Thurston played for the Cowboys just three nights after Origin I, widely regarded as the most intense contest in the concept's history.

"After being part of Game One, and how much interest it brought not only across the nation, but around the world, to be backing up for our clubs is getting borderline ridiculous," the five-eighth said.

"The boys take a lot of pride in backing up for their club.

"I just don't know why we have to do it. The power brokers of the game can surely come up with a better system.

"I have never been a part of such a brutal game before.

"It was one of the fastest games I have been a part of.

"When you have to back up for your club a few days later it is tough work."

TAYLOR HAS NEVER DONE THE JOB FOR US: MENINGA

BLUES HAVE INCENTIVE TO TAKE OFF GLOVES

Johnathan Thurston in action for Queensland. Source: News Corp Australia

Wayne Bennett recently released his own vision of an Origin schedule that would dramatically reduce player workload.

The Bennett plan sees Origin played over a one-month period in June.

Each State would pick a 22-man squad and play three games in three weeks on Wednesday nights.

They take a mandatory 10-day break after Origin III and then return to club football.

Johnathan Thurston of the Maroons reacts to something on the field. Source: Getty Images

"I totally agree with it," Thurston said of Bennett's plan.

"From what I have read crowd numbers are down, TV ratings are down this time of the year.

"Why we're still pushing (for the same schedule) ... I don't know why.

"Club footy will benefit from it. It will create more interest for fans when club footy returns.

"Having the three games stand alone, without a doubt in my mind, is the way to go."

MENINGA CLAM BEFORE ORIGIN STORM

INJURY CRISIS GIVES MAROONS UNDERDOG STATUS

Johnathan Thurston at training. Source: News Corp Australia

The difficulty is, the code is locked in to a broadcast deal with Channel Nine and Fox Sports until the end of 2017.

Even if the ARL Commission wanted to change the schedule, broadcasters could point to the contract and block any move.

Origin I was the most watched television program this year and the highest rating Game One in history.

Game Two in Sydney next Wednesday is expected to be the highest rating Origin of all time.

The reason is the quality if football gets better each year and players are rightfully questioning the toll their performances take on their body long-term.

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Dragons tales inked with art and soul

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FEW people drive into Ivanhoe. Fewer still remember it.

Leaving this speck of a bush town to exist, almost exclusively, in those brief seconds it takes to pass through towards somewhere better.

"And maybe it is forgettable,'' shrugs Joel Thompson.

"But for me, the town means everything."

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD: DRAGONS

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

And with that, the St George Illawarra enforcer then removes his training singlet, revealing underneath, and spread right across the base of his back, that beautiful landscape motorists see as they drive into his western NSW home all one pub, 200 residents and no internet access.

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

"As a kid, my upbringing was fairly tough, unsettled,'' Thompson explains.

"Things happened and, while I won't go into them here, I was shifted throughout the state to places like Wagga, Gundagai, Condobolin and Griffith.

"But driving home into Ivanhoe, I always felt safe. For me, seeing that little sign rising up ahead has always been the best feeling in the world."

And it's because, of those 200 residents, two were grandparents, Albert and Gloria Thompson.

BENJI BACKS SHEENS REUNION AT DRAGONS

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

A pair of "guardian angels" whose names and images also adorn his skin.

Indeed, this is the underlying beauty of tattoos.

While increasingly more common in the NRL than short skirts on a Saturday night, know that within this swirling blur of Japanese dragons, Polynesian sleeves and who knows how many Southern Crosses, there still exists the unique and revealing stories of proud young men.

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

And nowhere is this more evident than the Dragons.

A wonderfully illustrated outfit where three of the most heavily inked stars — fullback Josh Dugan, winger Peter Mata'uita and forward Thompson — have sat for hours, outlaid thousands, even bought a chainsaw so their stories can be drawn.

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

"A gift for my uncle," Mata'utia laughs of the Stihl payment.

"He did my sleeve.

"My first tattoo though, I was 11. A famous Samoan artist was in the area so I had him do a small, tribal band the traditional way.

"They use a sharp stick with serrated teeth. It's dipped in ink, then hit into your skin with another little stick like a hammer.

"That one means a lot as does the name of my mum, Falesoa, tattooed onto my chest because she brought up seven children on her own. I also have stuff for my sisters, my partner ... but I have a long way to go yet."

Peter Mata'utia shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

For Thompson, however, the journey is well underway.

Take, for example, that right arm existing in tribute to his grandmother via her portrait, the picture of nursed baby and a lengthy poem about guidance and love.

Joel Thompson shows off his tattoos. Source: News Corp Australia

On his left side, too, sit tributes to his late grandfather while both legs and chest flow with artwork for family like wife Amy, daughter Bella and another in planning for baby girl Imogen, six months.

"And then, after that, it will be time to finish my back,'' he smiles.

"I'm thinking a sunset over Ivanhoe."

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Cancer, injury won’t stop Lewis

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THEY say State of Origin is the world's toughest sport.

For 80 minutes, players send their bodies to hell and back.

Nothing on a football field, though, can surpass what Luke Lewis has endured over the past two years.

Lewis underwent radiation after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He endured two operations.

In the past two Luke Lewis has suffered series injury and he underwent treatment for thyroid cancer. Source: News Corp Australia

His wife Sonia had her own cancer issues. Lewis left his childhood club, Penrith, in sad circumstances and was then forced to have a full shoulder reconstruction after colliding with
on-field signage during last year's World Cup.

Nothing though was going to squeeze the life out of Luke Lewis.

The champion back-rower is now just 80 minutes from helping NSW end Queensland's eight-year reign.

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"It has been a tough run over the past two years," Lewis told The Daily Telegraph. "You have to go through tough times, I suppose. For me, it's been tough. I had my thyroid cancer which was disappointing but at the same time I learnt a lot.

"I try and look at the positives to come out of it. I had the radiation, I got a positive out of that.

"At the same time I did my shoulder. That was six months out, that was a rocky road, lots of ups and downs. You just learn to live with what happens. You find out who your friends are, who sticks by your side when you are going through tough times."

Luke Lewis is tackled during game one of the 2014 Origin series. Source: News Corp Australia

Lewis is a true inspiration. He is polite, warm and accommodating. He deserves success.

"The biggest thing I learnt, and it might sound funny, is that you never know what tomorrow will bring," Lewis said. "You might have a real bad day, people might be talking about you and you feel everything is against you.

"But you wake up the next day and have a good day. You might meet someone who can turn your life around. There are some blokes I have met outside of footy over the last three years that I would trust with my life in some ways.

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"When you go through tough times, something happens and then you say 'how good is life'. I don't take anything too seriously. I just make sure I am doing the right things for myself and my family."

Lewis said he wasn't frightened when told of his cancer scare.

"My mum and wife got more scared than me," he said. "To me, it was 'whatever, they have made a mistake'. The doctors were pretty awesome."

Lewis will play a key role coming off the bench next Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium. His experience and utility value will be invaluable.

Luke Lewis during a NSW training session at Coffs Harbour. Source: News Corp Australia

"I'm stoked to be here — I am pretty pumped," Lewis said. "The last three years we have built up a really good mateship. We have a really good balance in this side.

"Hopefully come Wednesday night we can turn up for each other, play for each other and we'll see what the result is at the end.

"A lot of us have learned about Origin over the last couple of years.

"If I got to the end of my career said I had won Origin against one of the best Queensland sides ever, that would be pretty nice."

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Turnstile Thurston key to Blue success

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THIS is the chilling statistic the Blues believe will crush Queensland's dynasty — Johnathan Thurston has missed 16 tackles in his past three games against NSW dynamo Jarryd Hayne.

Queensland stars will be ordered to protect Thurston in Origin II this Wednesday night after the Hayne Train steamrolled him with his 100kg frame in the series opener.

Hayne has systematically worked over the Maroons pivot at club and Origin level, scoring two tries and creating five more in Thurston's defensive channel in the past two months.

TAYLOR HAS NEVER DONE THE JOB FOR US: MENINGA

BLUES HAVE INCENTIVE TO TAKE OFF GLOVES

Jarryd Hayne runs into Jonathan Thurston. Source: News Corp Australia

In two fixtures against Hayne's Eels outfit this season, Thurston missed a total of 10 tackles, including four in the return bout at Pirtek Stadium last Friday night.

But Hayne turned up the heat in Origin I when Thurston missed six tackles — including one attempt on the Eels maestro which led to Brett Morris scoring NSW's opening try.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga is wary of NSW's plan to fatigue Thurston and challenged his troops to collectively nullify Hayne's attacking assault.

MENINGA CLAM BEFORE ORIGIN STORM

INJURY CRISIS GIVES MAROONS UNDERDOG STATUS

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"Every team isolates JT when they play against him so it's nothing new for us," Meninga said.

"We know that they will try and tire them, we are prepared for that and they (NSW) are doing a pretty good job on it.

"At the end of the day, JT is experienced enough to be able to handle those situations himself.

"But the guys around JT can help (in defence), that's one of their roles."

Thurston admitted on Thursday he was under pressure to hit back in Origin II, declaring Hayne is in career-best form after his Game One destruction of the Maroons.

MILFORD READY TO EMULATE HERO LOCKY

BLOCKBUSTER CROWD TO MAKE ORIGIN HISTORY

Jarryd Hayne palms away Johnathan Thurston. Source: News Corp Australia

"He's on cloud nine at the moment and playing the best football I have probably ever seen him play," Thurston said.

"I always look forward to the challenge of coming up against him.

"We will have our hands full again. There is pressure on myself and pressure on the whole team.

"Their game plan centres around getting the ball to Jarryd Hayne in space.

"There is not much you can do about it, you just need to do your best.

"It all starts through the middle third ... if he is coming off quick play the balls, it is good luck, just do your best."

INJURY CRISIS HAS HUNT READY TO STEP UP

Jarryd Hayne of the Eels is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Maroons backrower Chris McQueen, who defended beside Thurston in Origin I, said it is his job to keep Queensland's left-edge intact.

"I was inside 'Thursto' the last game and I definitely feel I can do a better job working inside him," he said.

"It's my job to get the boys inside me working. We can do a better job defensively.

"JT is not the biggest guy in the team so it's our job to look after him and make sure we are getting the numbers right when they are attacking either edge.

"JT can do some special things with the ball, so the more NSW get at him and tire him out, the better off they are going to be.

"Maybe that was part of their plan in the first game."

Is Johnathan Thurston Queensland's weak link in defence?

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Harley Bennell commits to Gold Coast

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HARLEY Bennell will today break the hearts of Western Australia's two AFL clubs by announcing he has signed a new three year deal worth over $1.5m to stay with the Suns.

The midfielder's re-signing caps a stunning retention campaign by Suns list manager Scott Clayton that has seen David Swallow, Sam Day, Steven May and Brandon Matera commit to new deals this season.

YOUNG GUN MARTIN CLOSE TO RETURN

Highly-rated draftees Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens also added an extra year to their standard two-year draft contracts before they had played a game.

Locking away the in-demand West Australian is the feather in Clayton's cap. The Suns would not comment last night but The Courier-Mail understands Bennell travelled to Perth on Wednesday, a day ahead of his team mates, to finalise the contract with his WA based manager Colin Young and to inform his family of his decision.

Harley Bennell marks in front of Jack Newnes. Picture Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Bennell is the second best player at the club behind skipper Gary Ablett and his deft ball handling, vision and uncanny goal sense adds a different dimension to a side attracting reviews for its blue-collar ethos.

He was also the player, along with Steven May who could play key forward at most clubs in the competition, the Suns' had to work hardest to keep.

The 22-year-old could have become one of football's highest paid players has he chosen to return home to Western Australia.

The Suns' young midfield is the envy of the entire competition because of its balance. They pride themselves on contested footy and are one of the best clearance sides in the competition while the pace of Bennell, Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara ensure they are deadly on the outside.

Each player brings something different to the mix.

Swallow is one of the most combative players in the competition, Dion Prestia is a tireless accumulator and O'Meara combines natural two-way running with strong finishing skills.

Harley Bennell at recovery at the All Saints Anglican School Pool. Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

Gamebreaker Bennell is the cream on the cake. He brings creative outside run and is a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one contests inside the attacking fifty.

Meanwhile, the Suns have reported a 17 per cent increase in crowd numbers this season.

Sunday's crowd of 21,354 for the clash with the Swans was the third largest in the club's four-year history, only exceeded by the 23,302, against Collingwood in 2011 and 21,485 for the inaugural game at Metricon Stadium against Geelong the same year.

Suns CEO Travis Auld said the club hoped to break the record in coming weeks against Geelong and Collingwood.

"Our supporters have in a short time developed a real passion to come to the footy and support their team and we will need that support when we take on Geelong and Collingwood at home over the next few weeks, promising to draw big crowds once again,'' he said.

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Aussie government mulling legal action

Frank Lowy (centre) was at the forefront of Australia's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Corp Australia

THE Australian government is considering legal action against FIFA to retrieve the $40 million spent on Australia's bid to host the 2022 World Cup amid allegations of corruption by eventual winner Qatar.

A Fairfax report says Federal Minister for Sport Peter Dutton is 'considering all options' in the wake of recent revelations that Qatari officials allegedly paid cash to FIFA officials to secure votes.

But he added they would wait for the results of FIFA's independent investigation conducted by Michael Garcia, which is due in mid-July, before proceeding.

"I think it's one step at a time, and the first step is to wait and see what happens in the process; wait and see what the world body does. And then I think we can consider options," Dutton said.

Qatar won the bid convincingly while Australia only picked up one vote in the December 2010 ceremony. Revelations in recent times allege some $US5 million in cash as well lavish gifts were provided by former FIFA vice-president Mohammed bin Hammam.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy had previously called for the bid money to be returned.

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