How Tom Dearden has evolved North Queensland Cowboys attack in 2024

Tom Dearden has revamped his attack this season and while his contributions aren’t all showing on the score sheet, it’s clear that he’s taken the next step in his development. Find out how.

Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden is playing a revamped style of football this season and while his contributions aren’t all showing on the score sheet, it’s clear that he has taken the next step in his development.

The talented half appears to have worked on his already zippy pace and has been lauded for his effort areas including a 95 metre sprint to cut down a flying Selwyn Cobbo in round 4.

It would surprise many to discover that dynamic Dearden is yet to register his first try assist of 2024, after collecting 10 and 15 in the last two seasons respectively.

In fact, through the first five games of the season Dearden is averaging fewer runs (4.6) and run metres (39) than any of his three full years at the Cowboys.

He is also kicking less than any of his previous seasons in the NRL for drastically fewer kicking metres.

Tom Dearden has increased his line engagements by more than 50 per cent, from eight per game to 12.6 (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

On the surface level you could assume that means he has taken a step back, allowing North Queensland’s dominant half Chad Townsend to take the reins in attack – but that would not be the case.

Ahead of round 6, the only players who have engaged the line more than Dearden are New Zealand’s Shaun Johnson and St George’s Ben Hunt.

Dearden has increased his line engagements by more than 50 per cent, from eight per game to 12.6, meaning he is taking the ball to the line far more often before passing, drawing in the defence and unlocking space and time for Valentine Holmes to feed Maroons flyer Murray Taulagi.

Valentine Holmes has almost matched his 2023 try assist tally just five games into the current season. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Holmes has already registered four try assists through his first five games, assisting at a rate of 0.8 tries per game compared to his 2023 average of 0.3 assists (six try assists in 18 games).

Dearden paid tribute to his mighty forward pack for building the momentum he uses to challenge defences.

“Like the team, I try and improve every week and try to make my game better and I’ve just been working on those areas and trying to be a lot more involved this year,” Dearden said.

“When the forwards roll forward and they get that momentum it allows us halves to dig right into the line and then be able to throw the ball wide and I think the forwards have been doing a great job, and we’ve found some pretty good flow with our attack as well to start the year.”

The blossoming five-eighth attributed his progress to North Queensland’s new attack coach and NRL premiership-winning five-eighth James Maloney.

North Queensland Cowboys attack coach James Maloney. Picture: NRL Imagery / Zain Mohammed

“He’s been great, I’ve learned so much off Jimmy,” Dearden said.

“He has a really smart football brain and I think the more I can work with him and learn off him throughout the year, I think it’s only going to get better for our attack and also for my own game as well.”

The Cowboys take on Parramatta on Saturday at 5.30pm.

Originally published as How Tom Dearden has evolved North Queensland Cowboys attack in 2024