JOHNATHAN Thurston has always worn his heart on his sleeve and with things going against the Cowboys, the champion took out his frustration on the referees with a foul-mouthed spray.

With his side’s premiership defence slipping through their fingers and a run of 50/50 penalties going against them midway through the second half, Thurston was warned by lead referee Ben Cummins to “be very careful” after informing the skipper that there had been “a lot of rubbish” from the Cowboys.

“What do you mean be careful?” Thurston hit back.

“You need to get your f***in’ s*** calls right.”

Round 20

Click on the video player at the top of the page to watch Thurston’s testy exchange with the referees!

It was an exchange that didn’t go unnoticed in the commentary box, with Fox Sports caller Andrew Voss pointing out that Thurston was perhaps a little lucky to stay on the field.

“I think that’s a sin bin for what is being said there,” Voss said.

“Johnathan many times, we understand the heat of the moment, but if we’re fairdinkum about respect for referees and the like, you’re off to the bin aren’t you?”

SHOCKER: Thurston’s ridiculous forward pass

It was a moment of anger that built up after a night when seemingly nothing could go right for the four-time Dally M Medal winner.

His kicks didn’t quite hit the mark for much of the game and several of his passes were uncharacteristically mistimed, going behind the intended recipient.

It was a performance that was summed up by a 15th minute play that started with Thurston dropping the ball behind him on sixth tackle and finishing with one of the most ridiculous forward passes you’ll ever see.

As the champion halfback scrambled into his own half with Sharks defenders in pursuit, he flung the ball out wide, with the pass seemingly intended for a teammate standing at least three metres in front of him.

At that stage Cronulla were already well on top and by the time Thurston let his frustration out at referee Cummins the Sharks had their foot on the throat of last year’s premiers.

Even though the Cowboys scored the last three tries in a late flurry to make the scoreline acceptable it was always going to be too little, too late.