Six trophies, six years: Cowboy Tom Dearden’s bold quest could lead to NRL greatness

Tom Dearden has revealed his ambition of accomplishing a feat unmatched in nearly 60 years of rugby league - winning six premierships in six years for the North Queensland Cowboys.

Tom Dearden has revealed his ambition of accomplishing a feat unmatched in nearly 60 years of rugby league by winning six premierships in a row for the Cowboys – one for each year he is under contract with the club.

Dearden, 22, this week sign­ed a five-year extension that will keep him in North Queensland through the 2029 season.

Already dub­bed the fittest man in rugby league, the five-eighth (pictured) declared he was ready to put in the work to win six straight titles - doubling Penrith’s formidable winning streak in the process.

No club has broken through the three-peat barrier since the St George Dragons of 1956-66, who were led by five-eighth Brian Clay and “Immortal” backrower Norm Provan.

Dearden said there was no point aiming small, and will force his way into Immortal consideration before his 29th birthday if he can deliver on his lofty goal.

Tom Dearden will retire as a rugby league Immortal if he can lead North Queensland to six titles in six years. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I’d hope to win as many as I could. If I could win five or six, or however many years it is, I’d take six,” the cheeky playmaker said..

“That’s just something that we’ve got to build as a group up here. I know we’ve been working really hard to get to that position and I know all the boys and all the staff here are going to give absolutely everything we’ve got to achieve that dream and that goal.

“Hopefully we can do that.”

Dearden’s commitment to long-term success in North Queensland is beyond question.

The Mackay product, who made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in last year’s series deciding Game III victory, is the first player contracted by the Cowboys beyond the 2027 season.

Dearden has been earmarked as a core piece for the club’s next premiership push alongside Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai and Scott Drinkwater (all signed through 2027).

Dearden is already a State of Origin champion. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Coach Todd Payten named Dearden a possible captain of the club, hailing the five-eighth as a model Cowboy growing into a leadership role.

“He’s been through the ringer,” Payten said.

“He’s had some challenges and some setbacks to get to this point and what got him out of it was hard work and his own personal character.

“He’s a gem of a kid. The players look up to him. He’s had to fight really hard and work really hard up until this point and I’ve got no doubt he’s going to continue to work and drive himself in this team and lead from the front.

“He’s a great example of professionalism – his care for the place, his will to win. He’s definitely growing into a leader. We’ve got some good emerging leaders in Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson, Tommy Dearden, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai.”

Originally published as Six trophies, six years: Cowboy Tom Dearden’s bold quest could lead to NRL greatness