NRL 2024: Tom Dearden opens up on Broncos exit, and how Cowboys saved his career

While Brisbane conduct an internal review following a shocking season, finals bound former Bronco Tom Dearden has opened up on his Red Hill exit, and how the Cowboys saved his career.

Maroons star Tom Dearden says the Cowboys saved his NRL career and declared he’s never looked back since his turbulent exit from the Broncos.

Dearden is gearing up for his second NRL finals series after co-captaining North Queensland’s comeback campaign this season.

While the Broncos conduct an internal review following a shocking season and ponder who will be the club’s long-term successor to ageing halfback Adam Reynolds, Dearden has flourished in Townsville.

The tireless terrier was released from the Broncos midway through 2021 to join North Queensland and has gone on to become one of the NRL’s leading playmakers.

The Broncos butchered Dearden’s development, prompting him to seek a fresh start at the Cowboys where he has thrived under the coaching of Todd Payten. 

Tom Dearden made his NRL debut for the Broncos, but says he hasn’t looked back after leaving the club. Picture: AAP Image

He has inked a contract extension with the Cowboys and won’t be returning to the Broncos.

Dearden, 23, played all three games of this year’s State of Origin series as Cameron Munster’s replacement at five-eighth and said he had never thought about what his career would look like if he had remained at Red Hill.

“No I don’t,” he said.

“I’m a North Queensland kid and I love playing for the Cowboys.

“Since I’ve been up here I don’t think I’ve ever looked back.

“The move helped get my career back on track. When I left Brisbane, I was at a bit of a crossroads with whether I thought I belonged in the NRL or not.

“Coming here and being at this club, around these players and coached by Todd helped me find that belief in myself again.

“I know the trust the club and Toddy has put in me has really helped me become the player that I am.”

Growing up in Mackay, Dearden was a schoolboys sensation tipped for a big future in the NRL.

He was picked up by the Broncos and finished school at Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast before joining Brisbane’s development system.

Aged 18, Dearden made his NRL debut at halfback under Anthony Seibold in 2019, playing five games, before being put into the hot-seat of a Broncos team hurtling towards the 2020 wooden spoon.

Tom Dearden made his NRL debut for the Broncos, but says he hasn’t looked back after leaving the club. Picture: Getty Images

Dearden’s confidence was shattered and he struggled to make an impact in the NRL as a young playmaker at a glamour club on the slide.

Not seeing a future at Red Hill, and with Brisbane eyeing then South Sydney skipper Reynolds, Dearden decided to join the Cowboys and was released mid-year by Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

Dearden said his 22-game Broncos career, which yielded just four wins, was challenging.

“It wasn’t a pretty time for the Broncos. It was some of the worst years,” he said.

“It was going through a period where the Broncos had a lot of young players and I was part of that.

“We weren’t getting the results on the field and when you’re playing in the NRL and not getting the results it adds a lot of pressure.”

Dearden is a tenacious character who has stepped up in the Origin furnace and become a favourite in Camp Maroon for the spirit he plays with.

It’s that attitude that prompted Payten to install him as co-captain alongside Queensland forward Reuben Cotter this year.

Dearden (right) is gearing up for an NRL finals clash against Kalyn Ponga’s Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

Dearden and Cotter have helped the Cowboys fight back from last year’s bottom nine finish to book a home elimination final against Newcastle on Saturday night.

But Dearden isn’t satisfied with making the top eight and wants the Cowboys to go further than their 2022 preliminary finals loss.

“It’s been a great year,” he said.

“I know we’ve been inconsistent at times, but over the last five or six weeks we’ve really found our identity with our game heading into the finals.

“(The co-captaincy) has been really enjoyable. I know it’s a role Reubs and I have grown into as the year’s gone on and we’ve certainly learnt a lot along the way.

“I think it has (made me play better). Being co-captain brings a bit of added responsibility.

“That’s something that’s really improved me as a player and also a person as well.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Tom Dearden opens up on Broncos exit, and how Cowboys saved his career