Brisbane Broncos team: Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey
He made his debut against the Rabbitohs last year, now Tom Dearden faces the biggest test of his young career as the Broncos’ guiding hand against Wayne Bennett’s men.
NRL
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Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has backed rookie halfback Tom Dearden to hold his own against Souths‘ scrumbase strikeforce Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
Dearden faces one of the biggest tests of his fledgling career when he returns to the same venue to take on the same Souths opponent against whom he made his NRL debut last year.
The blond-haired playmaker was just 18-years-old when he was pitchforked into the top grade by Seibold 15 months ago and he learned tough lessons in Brisbane‘s heavy 38-6 loss to Wayne Bennett’s Bunnies.
Now Dearden is back at Homebush, a year older and several kilograms heavier, charged with steering Brisbane’s attack in the Broncos’ No.7 jumper made famous by Allan Langer.
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It is a daunting assignment for the Toowoomba-born product. Dearden will be appearing in just his 10th NRL game against Souths playmaking wizards Walker and Reynolds, but Seibold is confident the teenager will not be overawed calling the shots for the Broncos.
“Tom will play in the seven (jumper) so he will get us around the park and that gives Brodie Croft (five-eighth partner) an opportunity to play what he sees,” Seibold said.
“Brodie is a lot better physically from a week off (with a shoulder injury) and Tom can give Brodie an opportunity to play what he sees.
“Brodie’s AC joint is a lot better, so I expect to see him play well on Friday night.”
While the Broncos are languishing in 15th place with three wins from 12 games, the performance of emerging backline trio Dearden, Xavier Coates and Herbie Farnworth has been a silver lining to Brisbane‘s season of woe.
Dearden will play on Brisbane’s right-side on Friday night, directly opposite Walker, who operates on South Sydney’s left.
While Walker provides instinctive magic, the 19-year-old Dearden must provide cohesion and direction to Brisbane‘s offence.
“Cody is an outstanding player there is no doubt about that,” said Seibold, who coached Walker at the Rabbitohs in 2018.
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“He was very good against the Dragons last week and we saw what he can do.
“He’s been doing that for two-and-a-bit years. He’s been really consistent and been a very good player with them along with Reynolds and Damien Cook.
“They have got a really good spine when you throw Latrell Mitchell in there. They have a lot of good options to go to.
“One thing that gives (the Broncos) optimism is the performance of Xavier, Herbie and Tom Dearden over the last week or two.
“Some of those young guys are really starting to improve. As head coach, I want to give those guys opportunities to grow.”
Freak accident sidelines Milford
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is banking on the return of blockbusting back-rower David Fifita to rock the Rabbitohs and keep Brisbane’s fading finals hopes alive on Friday night.
The loss of star pivot Anthony Milford to a hamstring injury has been tempered by the availability of Fifita, who has been named for his first NRL game in 140 days against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
Fifita underwent knee surgery during the code’s COVID suspension and hasn’t appeared in the top grade since Brisbane’s gutsy 22-18 defeat of the Rabbitohs in round two.
The Queensland Origin star’s rampaging 70-metre solo try against the Cowboys in round one helped the Broncos to back-to-back victories before the NRL’s two-month hiatus derailed Brisbane’s early-season promise.
During Fifita’s absence, the 15th-placed Broncos have crashed into wooden-spoon territory with nine losses from 10 games and their finals prospects will officially go up in flames if they lose to Wayne Bennett’s Bunnies.
But Seibold is hoping Fifita’s 107kg tackle-busting frame and brutal running on the edges can provide added spark following the returns of Jake Turpin and Kotoni Staggs from injury in the past fortnight.
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“It’s a huge boost for us,” Seibold said of Fifita’s selection.
“Dave adds a lot of energy and intent to our side.
“It’s really good to have him back, so we will be happy to have him back on the field.”
Fifita dropped a bombshell on the Broncos a fortnight ago when he revealed he is quitting the club at season’s end to take up a three-year deal at the Titans, but Seibold hopes the Maroons hulk can finish on a damaging note.
“I’m sure he is relieved to be back and he has trained really well for us over the last week and a half. He has been really good actually,” Seibold said.
“David is a quality player. Kotoni came back two weeks ago, he has added something to us since he has been back, then ‘Turps’ came back last week and he has added something to us.
“I expect Dave to be the same. I’m looking forward to getting him back on the park.”
In other selection news, Milford’s injury setback has opened the door for halfback Brodie Croft to partner Tom Dearden in the halves after he missed last week’s 36-26 loss to Cronulla with a shoulder problem.
Aside from Milford, the Broncos backline remains intact with veteran Darius Boyd retaining his place at fullback following his superb display with four try assists against the Sharks.
Bennett’s Rabbitohs are clinging to eighth-spot on percentages but Boyd says Brisbane’s only concern is themselves.
“We just have to worry about us,” he said.
“It’s not the team we are playing against who is beating us, we are beating ourselves.”
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos team: Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey