Broncos teen sensation Tom Dearden rejected offers from six NRL clubs to stay with Brisbane

He’s the kid from Mackay who rejected offers from six NRL clubs to sign an extended deal with the Broncos. On Thursday night, Tom Dearden will make his NRL debut against South Sydney.

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Tom Dearden could easily have been making his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters or Gold Coast Titans after a bidding war emerged for his signature last year.

The Toowoomba-born Mackay junior, who at 18 years and 50 days will become Brisbane’s youngest starting halfback, is in for an NRL baptism by fire when he runs on for the Broncos in Thursday night’s blockbuster clash with South Sydney.

His journey to the bright lights of top grade football began on the footy fields of Mackay, plying his trade as a youngster for Brothers Bulldogs from the Under-6s through to the Under-15s.

A very young Tom Dearden playing in the Under-9s Brothers Bulldogs in Mackay. Picture: Peter Holt

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The skinny, blonde-haired halfback idolised rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston and at one stage wore a headgear given to him by the North Queensland legend.

Such is the wunderkind’s passion for football, a five-year-old Dearden would stay up late while the rest of the family went to bed, to watch his favourite TV show – Friday Night Football.

“He used to watch Friday Night Football when he was about five or six,” his dad Steve Dearden said.

“We’d all go to bed and he’d stay up and watch the game.

“He’s always been into footy. Ever since he was a young fella, he’s always worn that No.7.

“He’s been a JT (Thurston) fan for most of his life.”

Dearden showing off his ability to score a try as a young gun.

Fast forward to Thursday night, and the 80kg, 177cm halfback will be wearing the No.7 jersey for the Brisbane Broncos.

But the Broncos had a fight on their hands to secure the Australian schoolboy, who finished his schooling at Palm Beach Currumbin High last year.

Thurston’s manager Sam Ayoub this week revealed to The Courier-Mail, Dearden had been pursued by half a dozen other clubs in what became a bidding war for his signature.

“Last year, he had half a dozen clubs keen to secure him,” Ayoub said.

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“Quite a few flew his parents to meet with them and they visited about four or five of the clubs.

“The Titans were definitely keen because he was living on the Gold Coast and there was a lot of merit in considering them because he was living locally.

“The Roosters and Bulldogs were exceptionally keen too.”

But it was Brisbane who eventually staved off the competition to secure Dearden on a three year deal until the end of 2021.

“Thurston and Dearden are different sorts of players,” Ayoub said of Dearden’s potential.

Dearden made the Australian under-15 Schoolboys team. Picture: Chris Lees

“Tom has the raw skills and raw talent that you have to have, but he also has attitude and a strong desire. He is a very level headed kid.”

Dearden’s four siblings and mum Andrea are expected to fly down to Sydney to watch Tom make his NRL debut at ANZ Stadium.

In an emotional twist to the tale, his father Steve won’t be able to go along after having shoulder reconstruction surgery yesterday.

”I’ll be in my chair, glued to the TV,” he said. “We’re all proud of him. No doubt he will do the job.”