How Dearden plans to pull off Maroons’ mystery role
Murray Wenzel |
Tom Dearden will do it his way as the latest playmaker to wear Queensland’s No.14 in what’s become a crucial State of Origin role.
The North Queensland five-eighth has worn the No.6 in all of his four Origin appearances.
But with fit-again Cameron Munster back in the fray Dearden will start on the bench in Wednesday’s series opener in Brisbane.
The 24-year-old isn’t sure what will be required of him during those 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium, but is prepared for anything as he follows in the footsteps of some of the state’s greats.
Captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans wore the No.14 early in his career with Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston in the halves, while Cronk flourished in the utility role before him when Thurston and Darren Lockyer called the shots.
More recently Ben Hunt and Harry Grant have tag-teamed in the role and played match-winning hands.
“Queensland’s had a history of halves be that utility role on the bench, I’m really looking forward to it,” Dearden said.
“It’s being prepared to play anywhere and come on at any time. That’s what it is.”
Hunt was ruled out with injury on the eve of the series and could be a sounding board for Dearden, who also lived with former Brisbane and Maroons hooker Andrew McCullough when he began his NRL career with the Broncos.
“I might come on in the middle .. I will have to bring the shoulder pads,” Dearden quipped.
“I’ll work out how it’s all going to play when I come on.
“My strengths, what I bring, are different to his (Hunt’s) but he’s someone I could certainly talk to.
“And he (McCullough) was such a smart footballer and good at explaining the game; I learnt a lot living with Macca and getting the chance to play with him.
Cherry-Evans sees Dearden in the No.14 as an “advantage” regardless of what’s asked of him on Wednesday.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who would say he is not ready for that role,” the captain said.
“When I say that role, what does that mean?
“He could come on and play in the halves. He could come on and play hooker or play in the middle of the field.
“If you talk about what Tom Dearden’s best attributes are, they are competitiveness, toughness … exactly what you need to be in Origin and playing in the middle of the field so if he was to go out there and just compete he’d show how tough he is through his work rate.
“That’s going to be an advantage to us. He is the ultimate competitor and he’s going to be great.”
Flourishing as captain at the Cowboys, Dearden now looks positively on his premature exit from the Broncos during the 2021 season.
“Looking back on it now, you’re very grateful to have experienced that,” he said of his Red Hill struggles.
“It definitely built a lot of resilience in my character, I’m thankful for having to go through those tough times.
“You just grow with experience and that’s what the game is; learn and grow and that’s what’s happened.”
AAP
