RLPA players' player gong for Thurston North Queensland Cowboys League News North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston has won the Rugby League Players' Association players' player award. North Queensland captain Johnathan Thurston has received some consolation for his team's controversial elimination from the finals after winning the Rugby League Players' Association players' player award. Thurston, who also escaped a fine over comments suggesting the refereeing error that led to Cronulla scoring a seventh-tackle try in their 20-18 defeat of the Cowboys was linked to a desire for an all-Sydney grand final, was voted the game's best player ahead of Todd Carney, Cameron Smith, Anthony Watmough and Sonny Bill Williams. "To be voted by your peers as the best, [there] is no higher honour in the game," Thurston said in a pre-recorded video for the awards at Doltone House on Tuesday night. I'm extremely humbled and it's a privilege to be voted by your peers. Earlier, NRL head of football Todd Greenberg cleared Thurston over his comments on Sunday. Carney said he felt sorry for the halfback. It's the nature of all footballers, we want to win. Rightly so he shouldn't be fined for those comments. If I was in the same position I would've said the same thing.