Johnathan Thurston arrested in Brisbane
His team, the North Queensland Cowboys, has also apologised to club stakeholders.
‘‘Both the club and player acknowledge that his alleged behaviour was unbecoming of a player of his standing and as a representative of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys,’’ the statement read.
‘‘The board and management of the club express their disappointment with Johnathan’s actions and advise that he will be required to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Advertisement
‘‘The Cowboys maintain strict player behaviour protocols and are committed to ensuring that players understand their commitment to members, sponsors and the community.’’
The contrite Cowboys captain flew back to Townsville after being released following his early-morning arrest on a public nuisance charge.
Thurston told reporters at Townsville Airport he was sorry for the drama and apologised to his fans.
‘‘You know I shouldn’t have put myself in that position,’’ he said.
The Cowboys playmaker was kicked out of Brisbane's Treasury Casino before he was arrested.
A spokeswoman for the venue said the North Queensland Cowboys captain was asked to leave after disturbing patrons with a walking crutch.
Thurston and two other men had been at the casino for about an hour when they were advised to leave about 3.40am.
''He consented to all requests and was polite to security guards," a statement from the casino said.
''His actions at the time provided no indication he was intoxicated.''
Thurston and another man, reported to be former Brisbane lower grade player Nathan Daley, were arrested outside the casino about 4.15am.
Police officers were called to the intersection of Queen and George streets in the Brisbane CBD "regarding a disturbance involving two men".
Queensland Origin player and fellow Cowboy Willie Tonga was also reportedly at the scene of the disturbance but wasn't arrested.
Police spoke to the group and Thurston allegedly laughed at the officers, Channel Nine reported.
It has also been suggested that Thurston and Daley were wrestling near a taxi and ignored police calls to stop.
Police have confirmed two men from Townsville, aged 27 and 25, have been charged with public nuisance.
Thurston and the second man were held at a Brisbane watchhouse before being released about 7.30am.
The Cowboys playmaker departed without commenting to the media.
Australian rugby league captain Darren Lockyer said Thurston would be "pretty shattered right now".
"It's not great timing," Lockyer told Nine.
"Obviously he is coming back from an injury and he wants to press his claims for a Test jersey in the Four Nations this year.
"It's not good but I've known Johnathan for a long time, he's a decent bloke and we'll just have to not pass judgment on it till we know the full details."
North Queensland media spokesman Timothy Nugent said the club was not willing to comment at this stage.
Thurston was charged with public drunkenness after being arrested outside his flat semi-naked in 2008.
The two men are due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 6.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Post a Comment