SAM Thaiday is ready for a 'remarkable' night this Thursday when he plays his 300th NRL game - in the place where he grew up and against one of his best mates.
Thaiday will become just the 15th player to have reached the triple century with one club, and the 33rd overall.
That the honour will come in Townsville, the place where he was reared, is a wonderful coincidence.
Thaiday grew up supporting the Cowboys before becoming a Broncos as a teenager.
His entire career - that will come to an end in 2018 - was spent playing in Broncos' colours.
But Thaiday could not picture anything more fitting - playing his 300th match in Townsville before his last home game at Suncorp Stadium against the Sea Eagles on September 2.
"You just couldn't have scripted it this way," he said today while hamming it up by spruiking a copy of his new book 'Tries, Lies and Meat Pies'.
"It is amazing how it has worked out.
"I will play my 300th game in Townsville where football started for me, and the love of football (started).
"I still remember sitting on the hill as a kid with my dad and brother watching that first (Cowboys) game.
"I can still remember selling Big League magazines out the front so I could get a free ticket to see the Cowboys play.
"I was a Townsville Brothers junior, which was just out the back of the stadium.
"I am going to have a lot family and friends there, a lot of people who encouraged me to play football.
"It is remarkable and amazing how it has all panned out for me."
Thaiday is also looking forward to spending a special moment with good friend Johnathan Thurston once battle has been waged.
Thurston too is on his own retirement run and after all the times the pair have spent in the maroon of Queensland and green and gold of Australia, a special bond has been built.
Thaiday couldn't help getting 'one up' on his old mate today as they approach the XXXX Derby.
"Our careers have run parallel for a long period of time and now we are retiring at the same time," said Thaiday.
"I did get my book out first though.
"I heard he was releasing his for Christmas time, so I thought I would get in first.
"That's a one-up for me and hopefully we can get another one up on Thursday night.
"It is going to be great to share a great moment with a great friend.
"I have played a lot of football with 'JT' and have done a lot of tours with him.
"That's when you get to know guys, when you are away for such a long period of time.
"It is going to be a bit of a moment there at the end of the game."
