Johnathan Thurston's fateful decision to head north in 2005 had as big an impact on State of Origin as it did on North Queensland.
That is the regard Thurston is held in by Kevin Walters as the Queensland Origin coach joined a chorus of tributes for the champion playmaker.
Thurston plays the final game of a 16-year NRL career when the Cowboys take on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Walters said Thurston had earned Immortal status since heading to Townsville - and not just for his Cowboys heroics.
The Maroons coach admitted Queensland's fate would have been different if Thurston had not snapped up a first grade start from the Cowboys as a young Bulldogs bench utility 13 years ago.
Thurston burst onto the scene in his first Cowboys season in 2005, earning an Origin debut, the first of his record four Dally M Medals and a maiden grand final berth for North Queensland.
The next year Thurston helped the Maroons snap NSW's three-year unbeaten Origin run, launching a stunning streak of 11 series wins in 13 years including eight straight at one stage.
"In 2006 he was part of that turnaround. I was lucky enough to work with him during that period as an assistant," Walters told AAP.
"There were a lot of periods where Queensland were dominant - Thurston was a big part of all of that.
"When I came back as head coach (in 2016) he was at the peak of his powers.
"I haven't seen a footballer who has been more competitive. He would do everything he can to win."
Walters said Thurston's desire to win was typified in his 37th and final Origin game for Queensland last year.
Thurston defied what was later diagnosed as a season-ending shoulder injury to kick a difficult conversion and seal a game two win in Sydney that locked up the series.
The Maroons went on to clinch their 11th series win in 12 years.
"He went above and beyond in what was his last Origin appearance," Walters said.
"I don't think I have seen a player more mentally tough."
As a result, Walters expected Thurston to be named an Immortal sooner rather than later.
"He has done everything you can in the game and at the highest level for a long period - generally that puts you in the category," he said.
"I would like to think in the next five to 10 years if there were going to be a couple more inducted than Thurston would be one of the names pushed forward."
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