Once heralded the heir apparent to Broncos’ great Allan Langer, Tom Dearden has trodden an arduous road from a prodigious, yet gun-shy, talent to a State of Origin warrior who looms as the heir apparent to Daly Cherry-Evans.
Thrust into the spotlight as a teenager, shackled with expectations to spearhead Brisbane back to rugby league’s promised land, he quickly suffered the brunt of a public and media collective desperate for him to become the finished product.
Fast-forwardfrom those ill-fated days, which included his former club’s maiden wooden spoon, and Dearden is a far cry from the uncertain man who first walked through the North Queensland Cowboys’ doors.
Tom Dearden arrived at the Cowboys from the Broncos reportedly gun shy after enduring the brunt of media scrutiny and expectations.
“I think when I look back on my journey, there were a lot of moments that helped me build resilience and character,” Dearden said.
“When you look back now, you’re grateful for having gone through those things, and I think they make you a better player and a better person.“
I built back that confidence and belief, and one thing I never lost was a love for the game. That’s what I think is the most important thing about playing rugby league, the enjoyment I get out of pulling on the jersey – whether it’s for Queensland or the Cowboys.”
