Tom Dearden, a prominent player for the Cowboys, has shared his experiences and reflections on his challenging period with the Broncos as he prepares for the sudden-death semi-final against the Knights this Saturday.
Dearden’s career began with much promise when he debuted in the NRL under Anthony Seibold at just 18 years old in 2019. However, his time with the Broncos was marked by difficulties. The 23-year-old was released from Brisbane midway through the 2021 season and subsequently joined North Queensland. This move has proven to be transformative for Dearden, allowing him to establish himself as one of the premier halves in the competition. He played in all three State of Origin games this year, stepping in for the injured Cameron Munster and making his debut alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in 2022.
Under the guidance of Cowboys coach Todd Payten, Dearden has flourished. His progress was rewarded with a five-year contract extension in December, securing his place with the Cowboys until the end of 2029. As he gears up for his second finals series, Dearden remains focused on his current success and does not dwell on what might have been if he had stayed with Brisbane. “No, I don’t,” Dearden stated when asked if he ever reflects on his time with the Broncos. “I’m a North Queensland kid and I love playing for the Cowboys.”
Reflecting on his move, Dearden acknowledges that joining North Queensland was pivotal in reigniting his career. He admits that his time in Brisbane was marked by uncertainty about his place in the NRL. However, being part of the Cowboys, surrounded by supportive teammates and under Payten’s coaching, helped him regain confidence. “The move helped get my career back on track,” he explained. “When I left Brisbane, I was at a bit of a crossroads with whether I thought I belonged in the NRL or not. Coming here and being at this club, around these players and coached by Todd helped me find that belief in myself again.”
Dearden, a junior from Mackay and former Australian schoolboys representative, spent three years with the Broncos during a turbulent phase for the club, including their wooden spoon season in 2020. This period was tough for Dearden, as he struggled to cement his role as a key playmaker amidst the team’s overall struggles. With the Broncos eyeing former South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds, Dearden was released by Broncos coach Kevin Walters.
“It wasn’t a pretty time for the Broncos,” Dearden recalled. “It was some of the worst years. It was going through a period where the Broncos had a lot of young players and I was part of that. We weren’t getting the results on the field and when you’re playing in the NRL and not getting the results, it adds a lot of pressure.”
Now with the Cowboys, Dearden is part of a team considered a dark horse for the premiership, with many believing they have the potential to go all the way. Following a narrow loss in the 2022 preliminary final to the Eels, Dearden is determined to push further in the 2024 finals series. “It’s been a great year,” he said. “I know we’ve been inconsistent at times, but over the last five or six weeks, we’ve really found our identity with our game heading into the finals.”
Dearden has also embraced his role as co-captain, which he finds fulfilling. “(The co-captaincy) has been really enjoyable,” he noted. “I know it’s a role Reubs and I have grown into as the year’s gone on, and we’ve certainly learnt a lot along the way.” He believes that this added responsibility has not only improved his performance on the field but also contributed to his growth as a person. “Being co-captain brings a bit of added responsibility. That’s something that’s really improved me as a player and also a person as well.”
With the upcoming semi-final on the horizon, Dearden’s focus is firmly set on contributing to his team’s success and making the most of the opportunity to advance further in the finals.
