IT looms as the most-hyped wooden spoon battle in history with the Cowboys desperate to send Johnathan Thurston out a winner for his last game.

Can Thurston round out his brilliant career with one more win in Townsville when North Queensland take on Parramatta?

Stars Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo are back to shore up North Queensland’s forward pack, while Thurston has promised he’ll leave nothing in the tank as he strives to avoid the first wooden spoon of his career.