Tackle of the Century: Scott Sattler weighs in on Tom Dearden trysaver debate

Scott Sattler’s epic 2003 grand final trysaver has met its fiercest competition for the honour of rugby league’s greatest trysaver. We asked Sattler the big question: whose was better? Read his take.

Scott Sattler believes Tom Dearden’s “amazing” trysaving tackle against the Broncos could be the launching pad for a Dally M season for the Cowboys five-eighth.

Dearden sprinted 95m to run down Selwyn Cobbo and cement his place in the conversation for the greatest trysaver in NRL history.

Sattler, whose 2003 grand final trysaver for the Panthers is regarded the greatest tackle of all time, said it was not his place to judge which was the better take-down.

But the former Queensland Maroon declared his belief that Dearden’s determination could see him follow in the footsteps of Johnathan Thurston to be crowned rugby league’s finest player.

“Amazing. It was amazing,” Sattler said of Dearden’s never-say-die chasedown of Queensland flyer Cobbo.

Tom Dearden's incredible try-saving tackle on Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: Fox Sports Australia

“Such determination. That’s what the leader of your team does, exactly what he did.

“There are moments in games when players want to try and make a change. Knowing what I know about Tommy, through his family and people who are close to him, I’d have been more surprised if he didn’t get him.”

The Dearden tackle was hailed the ‘tackle of the century’ during the broadcast and earned fair comparison to Sattler’s 2003 chasedown of Roosters winger Todd Byrne.

Tom Dearden's incredible try-saving tackle on Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: Fox Sports Australia

Sattler said it was not for him to say which tackle was better but expressed his admiration for Dearden’s effort.

“That’s not for me to judge and I don’t think we need to judge,” Sattler said.

“I think we need to say it’s an individual moment for a player he will hold very dear to his heart. Although they didn’t get the win, he once again proved to people he’s going to be a great future leader in the game.”

Former Maroons coach Kevin Walters, now coaching the Broncos, quipped to reporters: “That’s why he’s a Queenslander” after the match.

Sattler said if Cameron Munster was unavailable for selection then Dearden’s Friday heroics had cemented himself as Billy Slater’s first-choice replacement.

“If Cam is definitely out Tommy is your next man up,” Sattler declared.

Scott Sattler’s 2003 grand final trysaver on Todd Byrne. Picture: Channel 9

“Tommy has already shown when Cam was out for his debut (in 2022) how he handles the big moments.

“He’s a born rugby league player, born to play and dominate this game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins the Dally M this year. He’s an exceptional young man and it just shows that if one man goes down for Queensland another is standing there waiting to put on the jersey.”

Dearden hit a top speed in excess of 30km/h before executing a textbook cover tackle to bring down Cobbo, listed at 99kg to Dearden’s 87.

“I was coming from the other side of the field but I thought if I run for the cornerpost I might be a chance,” Dearden told Channel 9.

“He (Cobbo) is pretty fast but I think he was only in cruise mode, so it maybe gave me a chance to tackle him.”

Originally published as Tackle of the Century: Scott Sattler weighs in on Tom Dearden trysaver debate