Dearden close to return, but Origin spot not guaranteed

Joel Gould | June 19, 2026

Queensland hooker Harry Grant has urged a “wait and see” approach with last year’s State of Origin player of the series Tom Dearden, who is nearing a return from an ankle injury.

North Queensland coach Todd Payten said the Cowboys captain and halfback was hopeful of a return to action against Penrith at home on June 27, one day before the Maroons team is picked for the Origin decider in Brisbane.

Dearden’s replacement in the Maroons side, Sam Walker, was man of the match in the 44-24 win over NSW in Melbourne on Wednesday night and will be one of the first picked.

Maroons legend Cameron Smith made the point to AAP that, apart from the send-off of fullback Kalyn Ponga in game one, won 22-20 by NSW in the final moments, Walker would have been man of the match twice. 

A clue to how Maroons coach Billy Slater could use Dearden, pending fitness, was provided in game one last year in a loss at Suncorp Stadium.

Dearden came off the bench in a utility role and provided spark to be one of the best players on the field.

He was elevated to starting half for the next two matches, was instrumental in both victories and won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.

Payten said Dearden, who suffered his injury in round 10 against Parramatta, had been delayed in his syndesmosis recovery because of a fracture.

“The fracture was higher up on the ankle than the actual syndesmosis,” Payten said.

“We found out that he had a fracture probably a couple of weeks after his initial scan, so that’s just slowed him down a week.” 

Grant, who was brilliant at the MCG, said the Dearden selection issue was “Bill’s thing”.

“We all know what Tom Dearden does in a Queensland jersey. That’s pretty exciting,” Grant said.

“We’ll wait till Tommy’s back playing footy and ready. You never know what’s going to happen in a rehab journey. I’ve seen that so many times at clubland when things happen.”

Grant gave high praise to Walker, who is also the team’s goalkicker extraordinaire and did not miss at the MCG.

“Goalkicking to me is the ultimate,” Grant said.

“For Sammy to hit eight from eight was a really big play for us.”

Walker unfurled his immense skill set, but Grant also liked other areas of his game.

“He has that bit of individual brilliance, but I think the way he really took the game on, I enjoyed that,” Grant said.

“I play footy because I love it and I did it since I was a kid, and that’s why I love playing with Sammy because it just looks like he’s out there having fun and just really creating the game in front of him.”