NRL 2021: Daly Cherry-Evans talks up ‘special talent’ Tom Dearden as Broncos selection D-Day gets closer

Daly Cherry-Evans is an unabashed admirer but young gun Tom Dearden remains only an outside chance of facing the Eels on Friday night as D-Day arrives for Kevin Walters.

South Logan Vs Redcliffe in a trial match at Souths home ground - Tom Deardon, Acacia Ridge Saturday 6th March 2021 Picture David Clark

Queensland Origin captain Daly Cherry-Evans has labelled Tom Dearden the future of the Broncos as coach Kevin Walters prepares to deliver the halfback verdict that could make or break Brisbane’s season.

The fierce battle between Dearden and Brodie Croft for the No.7 jumper will be formally decided on Tuesday when Walters unveils his halfback for Brisbane’s premiership opener against the Eels on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.

Croft appears to have the edge, given the weekend off by Walters, while Dearden submitted his last-ditch audition when he turned out for Souths Logan in Saturday night’s 30-28 trial loss to Redcliffe at Brandon Park.

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Tom Dearden continued his audition for the halfback role on Saturday.

Walters is mulling over the first major selection decision of his Broncos career with Dearden and Croft both having stints calling the shots at halfback at Brisbane training last week.

Now D-Day has arrived for Walters.

Dearden is off-contract at season’s end and losing out to Croft could leave his future at the Broncos uncertain. He held talks with the Cowboys in Townsville last month.

Maroons skipper Cherry-Evans - one of the NRL’s most accomplished halfbacks - is staying out of Red Hill selection politics, but believes the Broncos have a special talent in the 19-year-old Dearden, touted as his possible successor in the Queensland No.7 jumper.

“Tom is going great,” said Cherry-Evans, who was handed the Origin captaincy by Walters two years ago.

“I keep forgetting how young Dearden is when I see him playing first grade.

“He makes playing NRL look easy.

Tom Dearden or Brodie Croft? Where will the Broncos turn?

“The thing Tom can hang his hat on is his toughness.

“Anyone who plays footy as a halfback has to show they are tough and committed.

“Most halfbacks are naturally talented at this level, so the rest falls into place if you have the desire to get stuck in.

“Tom is a tough competitor. It’s a really good sign for me. He has a long future in the game.”

As a five-time premiership playmaker, Walters knows NRL teams without consistent, match-winning halves simply don’t play finals football.

If Walters cannot find a dominant No.7 to unshackle Anthony Milford at five-eighth this season, the Broncos will be in danger of winning back-to-back wooden spoons.

DCE likes what he sees in Dearden.

The jury remains out on both Dearden and Croft.

Dearden hasn’t won a game in Broncos colours in a whopping 653 days. He has lost 13 consecutive games as a member of Brisbane’s top 17, having last tasted victory when he played halfback in the Broncos’ 8-2 defeat of the Warriors in May 2019.

Croft was recruited from Melbourne last year to snap Brisbane’s 15-year title drought, but managed 14 games before being axed in favour of Dearden as the Broncos began their slide to the wooden spoon.

Dearden was solid if not spectacular in the Souths Logan No.6 jumper on Saturday night. He scored a try taking on the Dolphins defence to propel the Magpies to a 28-6 halftime lead, but spent the second stanza largely tackling as Redcliffe charged home to snatch victory.

Souths coach Steve Bretherton later said Dearden “did his job”, but it will be the opinion of Walters that matters most.