NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis of Indigenous All Stars look on before the game during the NRL All Stars match between the 2017 Harvey Norman All Stars and the NRL World All Stars at McDonald Jones Stadium on February 10, 2017 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

GI. JT. Four letters, two legends, one incredible journey. And today, at sunny Barlow Park, the story comes to a close.

Greg Inglis and Jonathan Thurston are legends of the game, their stories and legacy so similar, inspiring at times, but this afternoon will see the men take to the same field for the final time in their rugby league careers.

Thurston has announced that the 2018 season will be his last in the NRL, and with North Queensland set to miss the finals, and JT retiring from rep footy, this is the swansong for the duo.

Their careers began differently, Thurston debuting in 2003 at Canterbury after years of being told he was ‘too small for first grade’. The following year he claimed his maiden premiership ring, playing off the bench in the Bulldogs’ Grand Final win.

Inglis was a scrawny winger for the Melbourne Storm in 2005, but it would only take a year in the top grade for GI to don the Maroon for the first time.

Since their beginnings, Inglis and Thurston have taken to the field dozens of times, whether it be side by side for Queensland or the Kangaroos, or opposing each other at club level, the two have forged careers that will be remembered for decades to come.

The proud Indigenous men are more than athletes, they’ve grown to become role models, and leaders, as their first grade careers progressed. Inglis has led Queensland while Thurston has captained Australia, and both men have had the honour of leading their people in the Indigenous All Stars game.

While the two have shared a host of highlights over the years, including World Cup and State of Origin triumphs, last year saw them suffer major lows.

Inglis tore his ACL in the opening round of the 2017, while JT endured a mid-season shoulder reconstruction, ending both of the superstar’s seasons prematurely.

North Queensland managed to push their way to a Grand Final berth without their captain, while South Sydney sunk to a 12th place finish.

However, their return to the park this year has seen complete form reversals to both clubs.

Thurston’s return has dropped the Cowboys from Grand Finalists to the bottom four, while Inglis’ red hot form had coincided with the Rabbitohs going from 12th place to premiership favourites in 2018.

While South Sydney are heavy favourites to claim victory in Cairns, Thurston will have his side raring to go as always. While North Queensland haven’t managed to stack the wins on the board this year, there certainly has not been a lack of effort from a club decimated by injury.

The two premiership points is the obvious prize in this clash, but lifelong bragging rights will be in the back of the minds of both champions, the last chance to get one up over a lifelong mate, with Thurston admitting he’ll cherish the memories the two have shared on the field.

“When I retire and become old and fat I'll be able to look back on those memories and hopefully have a beer or two with him” he told nrl.com.

Whether it comes through a trademark Thurston show-and-go, or a deadly Inglis fend, the pair will be eager to leave their mark on this clash, with the Cowboys keen on stopping Souths win eight straight for the first time in nearly three decades.

All good things come to an end, but GI and JT will be sure that this story ends with a big finish.

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