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Tom Dearden reveals personal mentoring from Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston ahead of Origin decider

Johnathan Thurston’s Maroons legacy is living on through Tom Dearden, with the current Queensland halfback revealing the legendary playmaker has been sitting him down for special lessons and analysis ahead of the Origin decider.

Tom Dearden has revealed his secret weapon – the ‘JT Files’ that have the Maroons halfback primed to shock the Blues in Wednesday night’s Origin decider.

Queensland’s Origin II hero in Perth, Dearden is ready to step up following the shock death of Cameron Munster’s father and help his halves partner pull off an epic series win at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Munster is set to rejoin the Maroons just 24 hours before the decider. Dearden knows his skipper is hurting and grieving. Munster’s pain will only further fuel the competitor in Dearden to rewrite the record books.

No Queensland team in Origin’s 45-year history has come from 1-0 down after losing at Suncorp to win the shield with back-to-back series on the road.

But Dearden is ready to be a history-maker – and he has an ace up his sleeve in playmaking mentor Thurston.

Now Queensland’s assistant coach to Billy Slater, Thurston was one of the greatest playmakers to grace the Origin arena, amassing 37 games and winning 11 series during the Maroons’ golden era.

Tom Dearden has been working closely with Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Tom Dearden has been working closely with Johnathan Thurston. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But Thurston’s legacy lives on in Dearden, who sits down with the Cowboys champion to analyse video of playmaking situations and absorb the lessons that have steeled him to gatecrash NSW’s Origin party at Homebush.

“JT has had a great influence,” Dearden said.

“It’s been quite lucky where I have had a fair bit to do with ‘JT’.

“Knowing when we are in camp (with the Maroons) or in North Queensland, he always has clips or videos to show me.

Johnathan Thurston with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day. Picture: Lachie Millard
Johnathan Thurston with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day. Picture: Lachie Millard

“Since I was a kid, I have always watched JT and the way he competes and what he does on a footy field.

“I have always tried to emulate his actions on the field and it’s been no different now.”

One of the primary reasons Dearden quit the Broncos midway through 2021 to join the Cowboys was to work with future NRL Immortal Thurston in Townsville.

It’s been the making of him.

Dearden has gone from Broncos discard with his confidence broken to a self-assured playmaker who was sensational in Origin II in Perth three weeks ago.

Handed the no.7 jumper for the first time following the shock sacking of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, Dearden played like a 10-year veteran, terrorising the Blues with Cameron Munster to inspire a series-saving 26-24 win.

Dearden was dynamic and it goes back to the JT masterclasses. Back yourself. Play what you see. Dig deep into the line to have defenders on edge.

“He does know the game,” Dearden said of Thurston, the 38-Test Hall of Famer.

“JT was an instinctive player as well, but he does a great job of explaining that to you.

“It’s never anything that you don’t know, but it’s going back to the simple things.

Johnathan Thurston is one of Queensland’s greatest ever. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir
Johnathan Thurston is one of Queensland’s greatest ever. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

“When you are watching video with him, he explains it so well … what he thinks you can do to manipulate a defensive line and that’s where he has been great for me.

“When you speak to the great players like Billy Slater and JT, it always comes back to the simple things first and that’s what I base myself on, too.”

After scoring just one try in 160 minutes of Origin football, Dearden sparked Queensland’s attack in Game Two. He played direct. He helped set up two tries for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and it was his clever short-side rush for Kurt Capewell’s try which gave the Maroons a 26-6 halftime they never surrendered.

New Maroons skipper and halves partner Munster said the Blues should fear the ‘Tommy Gun’.

Tom Dearden was at the heart of Queensland’s success in game two. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Tom Dearden was at the heart of Queensland’s success in game two. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“With Tommy, just let him play his footy,” Munster said.

“He’s one of those competitive players that always likes to be on the ball, always willing to fight tooth and nail for it.

“It shows in his footy.

“For me, I just try and get the best out of Tommy and let him be himself.

“I told him I’d be happy to run the team and let him play his style of footy.

“He’s a good ball runner and he’s always around the action. He can bring that on Wednesday night.”

Ironically, it was Munster’s eleventh-hour withdrawal with Covid in 2022 that opened the door for Dearden’s Maroons debut in the Suncorp Stadium.

The Cowboys rookie was outstanding in a 22-12 defeat of the Blues and will tap into his triumphant memories of a decider to spearhead Queensland’s shot at history at Homebush.

Dearden outpointed Blues halfback Nathan Cleary in Perth and says he won’t be intimidated by the NRL’s No.1 player on NSW soil.

“I wasn’t daunted,” he said.

“Nathan Cleary is a great player and you always do your best to try and nullify or get one over him.

“You are always aware of what he brings to the team, but the challenge of coming up against a player like Nathan Cleary brings out the best in me.

“My game has come a long way since 2022, but I always prepare as best I can.

“Game Two was a desperate game for us but we took a lot of confidence from that win.

“I’m ready to go again on Wednesday night.”

Originally published as Tom Dearden reveals personal mentoring from Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston ahead of Origin decider

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/tom-dearden-reveals-personal-mentoring-from-maroons-legend-johnathan-thurston-ahead-of-origin-decider/news-story/44c844eaf231911df5637f34ac39bb54