Retirement looms for Johnathan Thurston but there is no rest in sight for the North Queensland Cowboys great.
Thurston may deserve a break after playing the final game of his glittering 16-year career - North Queensland's NRL clash with Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
However, Thurston, 35, will never be busier after hanging up the boots.
The four-time Dally M Medallist will still be a common sight around the Cowboys' Townsville office, working with North Queensland's commercial team and head coach Paul Green next season.
Thurston will also juggle Channel Nine duties along with various business interests.
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Then there's his growing family.
Thurston revealed this week on social media that he and his wife Samantha was expecting their fourth child in February.
"Life after football is starting to look extremely busy," Thurston told Cowboys Media with his trademark laugh.
"It's a full household at the moment but my wife Samantha is the glue.
"A lot of my individual accolades that I have got over the last six or seven years is because she has been in my life - it's no coincidence."
Cowboys football boss Peter Parr hinted Thurston had a job for life at the NRL club.
"He will stay on and help out around our commercial team, do some work with Greeny," he told AAP.
"But it wouldn't matter if he worked here or not, he has got the keys to this place for as long as he wants.
"He helped put the Cowboys and north Queensland (region) on the map."
Thurston admitted there would be a commute for media work but vowed to remain in Townsville in retirement.
"We had big money offers to go to other clubs and overseas (in the past), but I like living in Townsville," he said.
"I love the community and want what's best for it. It's why we decided to stay.
"It is a great place to raise a family."
