Other News Source NRL 2020: Brisbane Broncos’ Tom Dearden being chased by seven rival teams

[Jackson_1994]

Brisbane halfback sensation Tom Dearden will test his value on the open market with seven clubs, including the Titans, lining up to steal the boom teenager from the Broncos.

The Courier-Mail can reveal almost half the NRL competition is targeting Dearden, who is highly regarded by former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett and rated by Brisbane scouts as a 15-year playmaker.

While the Broncos have a huge opinion of Dearden, the 19-year-old is stuck behind Storm recruit Brodie Croft, who, at 22, is just three years older and currently the first-choice halfback at Red Hill.
If Croft proves to be the slick halfback organiser coach Anthony Seibold is craving, Dearden risks floundering at Red Hill as he patiently waits for a chance that may not come for years.
Mindful of the Broncos’ dilemma, NRL rivals have upped the ante and are formulating plans to poach the Australian Schoolboys ace, who is likened to Darren Lockyer with his cool-headed playmaking composure.

Dearden is off contract at the end of next year, meaning he can formally negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year
Reluctant to play second fiddle forever, the Toowoomba-born rookie will explore his options with the Titans, Wests Tigers, Canterbury and Melbourne Storm ready to strike.

Brisbane board member Darren Lockyer is a member of the club’s recruitment-and-retention committee and says the Broncos will fight to retain Dearden.


“Tom has a great attitude, he is a great person and a special talent,” Lockyer said.

“We obviously hold Tom in high regard, but right now, he is only 19 and Brodie has more experience and is more game ready for the NRL.

“If some guys are being offered a start at another club sooner, it would be enticing to leave.

“But all I can say is Tom is a great kid with talent, we see him as a long-term NRL player and the club doesn’t want to lose him.

“We certainly want him to stay.”

Dearden made his NRL debut against Bennett’s Rabbitohs last year at just 18. He won three of his five first-grade games before two ankle injuries, prompting Seibold to shield Dearden from more NRL action to safeguard his future.

The COVID-19 saga has created a headache for the Broncos.

The suspension of the Intrust Super Cup competition has left Dearden with nowhere to play.

With every week that Croft holds the Broncos No.7 jumper, the more restless Dearden will become.
It is understood Bennett discussed signing the Queensland under-18s young gun, but the Rabbitohs do not have the salary cap space to make a formal play.

However, other NRL rivals are cashed up. The Titans are one serious option for Dearden, who played for feeder club Tweed Heads alongside Xavier Coates in their under-18s side.

Erratic playmaker Ash Taylor is off-contract at the Titans next year, which would free up $1 million for a poaching raid on Dearden.

“It’s frustrating for Tom,” Lockyer said.

“He can’t play Intrust Super Cup and he can’t get a game of footy at all because of this COVID situation.

“There would be a number of guys like Tom who are bitterly disappointed that they can’t play any football and that will have an impact on clubs’ rosters.

“But he can play five-eighth or halfback so I’m confident his chance will eventually come

 

[Typical dog]

Broncos don't lose players that they want. He ain't goin' nowhere

 

[Tassie Devil]

But we have Lewis ...

Being serious though. People on here have raved on about Wakeham and Averillo being future halves superstars. Why would we buy another one based on that?

Imo though I think it'd be wise to bring him down asap. It's definitely an area we're lacking in imo but do we need young promising players?

 

[bullpup71]

But we have Lewis ...

Being serious though. People on here have raved on about Wakeham and Averillo being future halves superstars. Why would we buy another one based on that?

Imo though I think it'd be wise to bring him down asap. It's definitely an area we're lacking in imo but do we need young promising players?

Because people want success right now

 

[doggieaaron]

Nothing flash no thanks

 

[Bulldog_4_Life]

We need a more experienced head for now, im sure there will be a high profile playmaker wanting to move clubs in the next couple of months, there always is, and when the opportunity arises we need to be ruthless.

No more average players, we have enough squad players, we need to identify two or three key targets.

 

[bradyk]

We need a more experienced head for now, im sure there will be a high profile playmaker wanting to move clubs in the next couple of months, there always is, and when the opportunity arises we need to be ruthless.

No more average players, we have enough squad players, we need to identify two or three key targets.

I think we should only be looking for a top experienced half (will have to be currently contracted as there is nothing available) to replace Foran. Otherwise the next best thing is to re-sign Foran. We already have Wakeham (unless he has signed elsewhere) who has just as much potential as Dearden and similar players. I think signing another half of this mould isn't needed unless they're literally a freak, the next "big thing". OBO has decent raps and forever reason Lewis is starting over Wakeham (we also have Averillo), maybe compliments Foran better. We don't want anymore players that're same same to what we have.

 

[Pity Fool]

He has about as much hype and potential that Jack Cogger did when he was coming through the grades at Newcastle and we already have Cogger so it’s obvious that we either persist with Cogger or we cut him loose and sign Deardan. It’s a double edged sword really, Cogger hasn’t shown much since his arrival but then again with Pays ludicrous and fluctuating team selections I’m not surprised he hasn’t developed because there hasn’t been consistent team selection to mature!

 

[piggy]

But we have Lewis ...

Being serious though. People on here have raved on about Wakeham and Averillo being future halves superstars. Why would we buy another one based on that?

Imo though I think it'd be wise to bring him down asap. It's definitely an area we're lacking in imo but do we need young promising players?

The question is....who is better....wakeham or Dreadon.....all the hype about wakeham.....will he be our future halfback who is capable of steering our team around.? Can we keep both of them in the halves.....Foran is not our future and nor is lewis

 

[bradyk]

The question is....who is better....wakeham or Dreadon.....all the hype about wakeham.....will he be our future halfback who is capable of steering our team around.? Can we keep both of them in the halves.....Foran is not our future and nor is lewis

Foran is a short term solution until a top half comes on the market. We need one experienced half that's also actually good. No point buying Dearden if we already have Wakeham who can't even get game time over Lewis.

 

[piggy]

Nothing flash no thanks

How do u know he isn’t that good? Why would the storm be. After him when they have jack and that other gun halfback who is injured?

 

[doggieaaron]

How do u know he isn’t that good? Why would the storm be. After him when they have jack and that other gun halfback who is injured?

Ive seen him play and its not uncommon for bellamy to get plodders that just play their role because 1) they are cheap and when you have the stars he has its all he needs,us on the other hand dont need plodders we needs x factor stars

 

[Scoooby]

Here we go again lol.!!

 

[piggy]

Ive seen him play and its not uncommon for bellamy to get plodders that just play their role because 1) they are cheap and when you have the stars he has its all he needs,us on the other hand dont need plodders we needs x factor stars

Well if we had a decent coach that would help with developing young players like deardon...He is highly rated....why would 7 nrl clubs be interest in his services....

 

[doggieaaron]

Well if we had a decent coach that would help with developing young players like deardon...He is highly rated....why would 7 nrl clubs be interest in his services....

We have a gun up and coming 7 in wakeham yet our dud coach is doing everything to fuck his career up so we dont need this guy we just need to utilise wakeham

 

[Doggiezbrah]

It’s not like everyone is pinning our hopes for Wakeham to turn around the season. We know he has potential to be a top player if he was provided the same opportunities as Lewis. Lewis was only decent for half season. That is enough games to make a sound judgement on his ability as a footballer.

 

[Snake]

Deardens trial form this pre-season was impressive, better then all our doggies halves. But that was just trial form, i haven’t seen his Q cup games to really gauge what he is like.

 

[boggie23]

What I don’t get is there are 30 man squads, that are part of this lockdown. And only 17 take the field.

The nrl should consider a 7s or 9s mid week Comp with the left over players who don’t play that weekend. Fair enough might be hard with injuries. But it will keep players match fit and ready to go (ask Ogden how hard it is to line up after no footy for months). You can train the house down but if you don’t play it’s not the same.

That way you’d open up a new revenue stream (I’m sure fox would be willing to add to content) you’d have kids like sailor, Saab, wakeman, and this guy getting game and development time. And they’d be nrl ready if given the chance. And most importantly it keeps the players in the “bubble”. Restarting reserve grade will be hard as many players have a job outside of footy. Will be hard to monitor limit their movement. But having an nrl sanctioned event with top 30 registered players only it should work.

 

[Malla]

Averillo is our future 5/8. He needs an experienced and good half next to him tho - think back to 09 when Kimmorley came on and how much that helped Roberts, I see Averillo in the same mould.

Not many good experienced halves out there. Somebody mentioned Foran being the best option until a quality half comes on the market - we will end up paying Foran probably a third of what he is currently on, so it a good investment from our club.

Deardon looks good, but he's another young player with great potential that hasn't proved anything in first grade yet - we need to stay away from players like that. We don't have the team, the system or the coaching staff to help a player realize his potential and exceed or even meet expectations lol.

 

[dogluva]

What I don’t get is there are 30 man squads, that are part of this lockdown. And only 17 take the field.

The nrl should consider a 7s or 9s mid week Comp with the left over players who don’t play that weekend. Fair enough might be hard with injuries. But it will keep players match fit and ready to go (ask Ogden how hard it is to line up after no footy for months). You can train the house down but if you don’t play it’s not the same.

That way you’d open up a new revenue stream (I’m sure fox would be willing to add to content) you’d have kids like sailor, Saab, wakeman, and this guy getting game and development time. And they’d be nrl ready if given the chance. And most importantly it keeps the players in the “bubble”. Restarting reserve grade will be hard as many players have a job outside of footy. Will be hard to monitor limit their movement. But having an nrl sanctioned event with top 30 registered players only it should work.

Exactly this. If the players are already in the squads, they need something other than training to keep them in peak condition to play if needed, an 80 minute NRL game.

We have seen the issues we had in years gone by where players were in the extended first grade squad, not getting a gig and depending on when the lower grades were being played got no game time what so ever. Desmond was an expert at it and it is happening now where bench players are not getting any time on the park...