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-forward from 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. Credit: Getty Images
“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.”
Dearden’s legend will have a new chapter inscribed on Wednesday night, when he steps into unfamiliar territory as Queensland’s super sub – a path previously walked by esteemed halfbacks Cooper Cronk and Cherry-Evans before they made the state’s No.7 jumper their own.
“Tommy Dearden’s taken his game to another level. We all know the competitiveness Tom plays with, we all know the toughness Tommy plays with, and whatever position you put him in on the field he’s going to do a great job.”
Billy Slater
The five-eighth was arguably Queensland’s best player in 2024’s series defeat with Cameron Munster sidelined through injury – running for 131 metres while setting up a try in a game one triumph, before forcing several Blues errors and still running for 121 metres in the decider.
Munster’s return to the No.6 jumper has forced a Dearden rethink, who has been spotted spending much of his training at dummy-half, but could be deployed as a middle forward.
Tom Dearden training at dummy-half for the Maroons.Credit: Getty Images
“As a 14 for Queensland you have to be ready for anything. I’ve been there before, and he might have to play hooker, lock, or in the halves, you just don’t know what’s going to happen in a game of footy,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Tommy Dearden’s competitiveness, his toughness, if he brings those … his talent will shine. We’re always a better side when Tommy Dearden’s playing footy.”
While Dearden’s present is as a utility, his shift to halfback for North Queensland has given Slater a glimpse of what life could look like beyond Cherry-Evans.
The Manly champion will play on in 2026, but uncertainty surrounds whether he will continue his representative career.
Roosters star Sam Walker, currently recovering from a ruptured ACL, has been touted as the man to replace the veteran, but Dearden’s Origin success has given him an inside running.
How he and youngster Jaxon Purdue, who shifted from centre to five-eighth for the Cowboys, combine will paint the picture of what the next decade could look like.
When asked about Purdue, Dearden declared “there’s no doubt he’ll be wearing a Queensland jersey one day”, while stressing his own game would not change.
“Nowadays, whether you’re wearing 6 or 7, it’s all a similar role,” Dearden said.
“Whether it’s the six or seven on the back, I don’t think my role in the team really changes too much.”
