North Queensland have named Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott as co-captains for 2011 in a bid to turn their recent NRL woes around.

Test prop Scott has been elevated from the club's leadership group and will join last season's sole skipper Thurston in the role, with Thurston likely to take on the senior on-field role.

The Queensland and Australia halfback welcomed the decision, and looked forward to being relieved of some of the pressures as the club's key playmaker and club leader.

"Working alongside Scotty will really relieve some of the pressure that comes with captaining an NRL side and it allows us both to really focus on our efforts on the field," Thurston said.

"I think I speak for the whole team when I say that he is one of the most respected boys in the squad - he's really grown in confidence and stature as a player and I know I'm looking forward to hitting the field with him this year."

The dual partnership will allow off-field commitments to be shared, which coach Neil Henry hopes will result in improved results for the club in 2011.

"I am very happy with the calibre of the candidates in our leadership group and in the end I felt it was appropriate to name two captains, both of whom are outstanding members of the team," Henry explained.

"I really think that Johnathan and Matthew can learn a lot from each other and our team and our club can only benefit from that."

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