NRL 2024: New Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden wants to emulate Johnathan Thurston and bring a premiership to North Queensland

He was the 18-year-old tipped for superstar status at the Broncos – but Tom Dearden has found a true home in North Queensland. The new co-captain opens up on his Cowboys dream.

Tom Dearden has no intention of returning to the Broncos in the post-Adam Reynolds era as the new Cowboys co-captain looks to emulate Johnathan Thurston by winning a title at North Queensland.

Dearden’s star is on the rise in the tropics, with the Queensland Origin pivot and Reuben Cotter named joint captains last week in a shock leadership switch by coach Todd Payten.

The coronation of Dearden comes just six weeks after he inked a five-year extension with the Cowboys, capping a remarkable career turnaround for a playmaker who was at the crossroads just two years ago.

Blooded as an 18-year-old at the Broncos in 2019, Dearden was tipped for super stardom at Red Hill, but lost his way — and confidence — so badly he was released by Brisbane coach Kevin Walters midway through the 2021 season.

Thrown a lifeline by the Cowboys, Dearden has been a revelation in Townsville, burying his mental demons to become a State of Origin player under the tutelage of Payten.

Tom Dearden was shocked to be named Cowboys co-captain for the 2024 season.

The Broncos must begin succession planning at the scrumbase, with skipper Reynolds poised to ink a 12-month extension for the 2025 season that shapes as his swansong campaign in the NRL.

There was a view Dearden would eventually find his way back to the Broncos, but with the 22-year-old contracted until 2029, the Maroons young gun is relishing life at the Cowboys.

A number of NRL rivals, including the Dragons, attempted a poaching bid last November, but Dearden has no plans to walk out on North Queensland in his desire to be a Cowboy for life.

“It has been a big turnaround from my time at the Broncos,” said Dearden, who played 22 games at Brisbane before his mid-season move to the Cowboys.

“I never really took note of any of the interest in me (from rival NRL clubs).

“I had spoken to my manager and he knew how keen I was to stay here.

“I never wanted to leave the Cowboys. I left it to my manager to sort out. He knew how keen I was to stay at the Cowboys, so he did the work behind the scenes (on his new contract) and I just focused on pre-season.

“I signed because of how much I love it here. I love the club, I love the community and what this Cowboys team means to the region.

“I don’t see myself going anywhere else, so over the next five or six years, I can focus on playing well for the Cowboys and hopefully be here for my whole career.”

Dearden struggled to settle at the Broncos in his rookie years under coach Kevin Walters (left).

While Dearden was shocked by Payten’s leadership bombshell, he insists there is no tension with former co-captains Chad Townsend and Jason Taumalolo.

“Both Jase and Chad have been so supportive of this handover,” he said.

“It was certainly a surprise to me.

“Todd brought me in and ‘Rubes’ together over a coffee and explained why he was making the call.

“It’s an easy transition to do it now while we still have the leaders like ‘Chaddy’, Jase and Jordan (McLean) around us to guide us in that transition, rather than throwing us in the deep end in a few years.

“Me and Rubes are really lucky to have Chad and Jase around to help us. This allows Jase to focus on his footy and he won’t have that extra pressure of captaincy.

“They are still leaders and it’s not going to change the impact they already have on the playing group.”

Dearden believes the Cowboys have the young guns to win the club’s second premiership.

It’s been almost a decade since champion playmaker Thurston and his co-captain Matt Scott spearheaded the Cowboys’ maiden premiership triumph in their 2015 grand final epic against the Broncos.

Now the Cowboys have unearthed another generation of young guns that have prised the premiership window open. Dearden would love nothing more than to follow the lead of ‘JT’ and skipper the likes of Scott Drinkwater, Jeremiah Nanai, Heilum Luki and Coen Hess to the club’s second title.

“We certainly can win the premiership with this group,” Dearden said.

“We know it comes down to hard work and that’s what ultimately decides who wins a premiership.

“We have got the squad and the personnel but it’s up to us as a squad and how much we want it.

“One thing I want to do as a leader is be more involved and take a bit more control on the field.

“I think that is an area I can get better, being constantly involved in the game.

“The big thing JT has always said to me as a playmaker is to get yourself into the game and keep yourself there.

“That’s something I have been working on.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: New Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden wants to emulate Johnathan Thurston and bring a premiership to North Queensland