Tom Dearden set to be picked as pressure builds on Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft
Tom Dearden is set to be named for the Broncos as coach Kevin Walters loses patience with halves pairing Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters is set to roll the selection dice by including Tom Dearden on his interchange bench for Saturday night’s clash against the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
Walters will finalise his 17-man squad at Brisbane’s captain’s run on Friday morning but it is understood the Broncos coach is leaning towards a reshuffle of his four-forward bench.
Dearden was named as 18th man for the Round 3 clash but is expected to be a late inclusion as a utility back-up for underfire halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft.
Walters selected John Asiata, Rhys Kennedy, Ethan Bullemor and Ben Te’o on his bench for the Bulldogs clash but Kennedy is tipped to make way for Dearden to make his first appearance of the 2021 season.
The off-contract 20-year-old scored two tries for Souths Logan in last week’s Intrust Super Cup opener and Walters has been impressed with Dearden’s attitude in attempting to fight his way back into the Broncos side.
Dearden had a stint around the rucks at Broncos training on Tuesday, suggesting he is in line for a call-up, and Walters will make a definitive call at the captain’s run.
The blond-haired halfback has experience as a No.14 utility, playing two games off the bench last season against the Titans and Warriors.
Walters was concerned with the option-taking of Croft and Milford in last week’s derby loss to the Titans and Dearden’s smarts off the interchange bench gives the Broncos coach another playmaking option.
Broncos forward Pat Carrigan backed Dearden, who is being chased by the Cowboys, to handle a super-sub role if called into the 17.
“Tommy played well for Souths on the weekend,” he said.
“He is a competitor and clubs are after him for a reason.
“Whoever Kevvie picks in the seven, it’s ‘Crofty’ at the moment, but if Tommy gets the chance I’m sure he will take it with both hands.”
No Cookies
www.dailytelegraph.com.au