JOHNATHAN Thurston says the North Queensland Cowboys in 2018 have assembled one of the best sides he has seen since his arrival to Townsville in 2005.

Thurston said it was a rollercoaster 2017 with injuries and missing the grand final but rugby league was back as his main priority as he looks to leave his mark in his last year in the NRL.

“I’m looking forward to playing a lot of football,” he said.

“It’s going to be an exciting time for the club over the next couple of years.

“I’ve been here for a long time and it’s probably on the best squads that we’ve been able to assemble over my time being here.”

Thurston’s confidence in this year’s side has him already dreaming about another fairytale grand final berth and a potential second title for the club but he said he wasn’t getting ahead of himself.

“I don’t know about a shoo-in (to make the grand final),” he said.

“I was very excited and proud of what the boys were able to do (last year). It was a really good insight into the future of our club.”

The 34-year-old has teetered on the brink of clocking up his 300th NRL game since suffering his season-ending shoulder injury State of Origin II last year.

Due to mark the milestone in round one against the Cronulla Sharks on March 9 at 1300Smiles Stadium, Thurston, with this trademark laugh, said he was confident of getting there.

“I hope so,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure.” Thurston said this year would be somewhat of a farewell national tour, with every away round a chance to say goodbye to grounds and fans he has played at and for throughout his 16-year career.

“It will be nice to play at some of those ground that I’ve been cheered at and also booed at,” he said.

“I’ve been around for a while so it will be nice to get to those stadiums and say thank you the fans that have supported myself or this club over the years.”