Johnathan Thurston says young gun Tom Dearden can deliver a title for Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos have endured the year from hell but there has been one shining light according to Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston — the form of teenage halfback Tom Dearden.
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Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston has urged Brisbane to keep faith in Tom Dearden, rating the rookie halfback a future NRL superstar who can deliver the Broncos’ next premiership.
Two of rugby league‘s boom halfbacks are on show on Thursday night when Dearden and 22-year-old Dally M contender Nathan Cleary square off in the Broncos-Panthers clash at Suncorp Stadium.
For Dearden, it is yet another scrumbase baptism with the 19-year-old having opposed the likes of Cooper Cronk, Adam Reynolds and Cameron Munster just 13 games into his fledgling NRL career.
Now Dearden must match wits with Cleary, who is in red-hot form calling the shots with a Penrith side eyeing a 12th consecutive victory as they storm towards the minor premiership.
The Broncos are in crisis and fighting to avoid their first-ever wooden spoon, but Dearden has emerged as Brisbane‘s beacon of hope in the past month with some outstanding performances in the No. 7 jumper.
Thurston knows a 10-year NRL playmaker when he sees one and the Cowboys legend believes Dearden has the composure, competitiveness and footballing guile to be Brisbane’s next premiership halfback.
“Brisbane have to keep the faith with Tom,” Thurston said.
“I have been really impressed with him, he has been one of Brisbane’s shining lights.
“He is definitely their long-term halfback and a player the Broncos can build their team and success around.
“Tom has handled everything that has been thrown at him, especially defensively … he was a better defended than I was at the same age.”
Thurston has been a key ally for Dearden in his crucial teenage development years.
Eighteen months ago, Dearden was invited to Queensland Origin‘s junior emerging camp and the Broncos rookie had stars in his eyes as Thurston arrived at training to help mentor the next generation of Maroons playmakers.
Thurston has kept in contact with Dearden and likes the competitive drive that was a hallmark of ‘JT’s’ evolution into one of the code’s greatest playmakers.
“Tom is really tenacious,” Thurston said. “He likes to compete and that’s a good sign for a young halfback.
“The more footy he plays, the better he will get in terms of closing out games and knowing how to get the Broncos back into games.
“The Dragons game (two weeks ago which Brisbane lost 28-24) was a perfect example. Tom scored a late try to get the Broncos back into the game, but they couldn’t go on and finish the Dragons off.
“But as he gets more experience, Dearden will learn how to control a game.
“I like his kicking game, his vision and the way he is prepared to take the line on … he is going great guns.”
Dearden, who rejected six NRL clubs to sign with the Broncos, said his willingness to compete was inspired by watching vision of Thurston in his pomp at the Cowboys.
“My favourite player was JT, I watched every single one of his games,” he said.
“I remember the QAS camp where Thurston came along to help us younger guys. It was pretty special to be learning from someone like that. Every word he said I was listening to, it was a huge thrill.
“The main thing JT spoke to us about was about the importance of digging into the defensive line as a playmaker and playing square.
“Watching JT, I loved the way he competed and I’ve always tried to bring that into my game. I want to be a guy who competes on everything.”
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Originally published as Johnathan Thurston says young gun Tom Dearden can deliver a title for Brisbane Broncos