JOHNATHAN Thurston has appealed for protection from referees amid fears opponents are illegally attempting to bash the Cowboys champion out of the title race.

North Queensland coach Paul Green has formally contacted NRL officials after Thurston was repeatedly targeted by Souths players in Thursday night’s 31-18 loss in Townsville.

The Sunday Mail has obtained footage which shows Thurston kicking 12 times against the Rabbitohs. On six occasions, he copped late shots from five different South Sydney players.

Thurston is the code’s No. 1 playmaker, on track for a record fourth Dally M Medal.

North Queensland would be long shots of winning a maiden premiership without Thurston and Cowboys insiders fear NRL opponents will emulate Souths’ rough-house tactics.

Thurston suffered a black eye after being mauled by Newcastle in Round 2 and he was left battered and bruised by the Rabbitohs.

media_camera Johnathan Thurston being ruffed up by South Sydney.

The Maroons ace had ice strapped to his left knee and was barely able to walk to the Cowboys’ gymnasium for post-match recovery.

Thurston refused to identify his Rabbitohs attackers but the Cowboys playmaker’s patience is wearing thin.

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“I’m going to have to start protecting myself because how else am I going to get f---ing protected?” a frustrated Thurston said.

“Look, I understand it’s part of footy, I’m going to get tackled in the air, but there should be some protection.”

Asked which Souths players fouled him, Thurston said: “I won’t name anyone mate, it’s part of footy.

“But I can’t brace myself in mid-air ... is it legal?

While the shoulder charge issue has dominated discussion, the NRL insists it remains vigilant on kicker protection. Souths hooker Issac Luke was charged by the NRL match-review committee on Friday for a 46th-minute shoulder charge on Thurston.

The Cowboys No. 7 took a battering from start to finish against the premiers.

It began in the 18th minute when Souths centre Kirisome Auva’a crunched Thurston on a clearing kick. The Burgess brothers, Tom and George, hammered Thurston three times, including twice in 90 seconds 15 minutes from fulltime.

media_camera Johnathan Thurston has appealed for more protection from referees. Picture: Evan Morgan

Green said the attacks on Thurston threatened to intensify as the stakes rise in the finals.

“All the playmakers need to be looked after,” Green said.

“I’ve raised the issue with Tony Archer (NRL referees boss).

“I spoke out about this earlier in the year and Wayne Bennett (Broncos coach) called me a drama queen. If would be different if he had Darren Lockyer playing, he would be the first coach to raise it.

“The ball players are the game’s best players and you don’t want defenders tackling kickers illegally and risking them getting hurt.”

Archer said: “The referees remain vigilant in regards to the contact on kickers. A number of players have been penalised throughout the season for fouling the kicker with the most serious resulting in suspension.”

Legendary Broncos pivot Darren Lockyer fears Thurston could be seriously injured if repeatedly attacked.

“The last thing we want to see is the game’s best player suffer a knee injury through foul play,” Lockyer said.

media_camera Johnathan Thurston has appealed for more protection from referees.

“There’s a fine line between pressure and making contact with a guy in a dangerous position.

“Attacking the kickers’ legs is dangerous and if it’s happening to JT, the match-review committee needs to keep a close eye on it.

“As the finals approach and the games get bigger, the pressure will be increasingly put on guys like Thurston.

“As a code, we can’t get complacent about it.”