Baptism of fire for Dearden triumph

A COFFEE date in Camp Maroon was all Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans needed to know Maroons debutant Tom Dearden wouldn’t melt in the Origin furnace.

Dearden produced one of the great Origin debuts deputising for the Covid-stricken Cameron Munster in Queensland’s stunning series-clinching win at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Much like Munster in his 2017 debut at Suncorp, Dearden played the game of his life to go within a whisker of being crowned man-of-the-match in Queensland’s 22-12 victory.

It was just over a year ago that Dearden’s career was at a crossroads after he was banished to reserve grade and then released by the Broncos to join the Cowboys.

Now Dearden, 21, is celebrating the finest moment of his career after playing a starring role.

“I’ve dreamt of it as long as I can remember,” Dearden said.

“To be able to experience what it’s like to run out at Suncorp in a decider is a special moment. I did (feel comfortable). I’ve been here throughout the whole series so I knew exactly what they expect their players to do for Queensland.

“It was a tough couple of years to start my career. I used to tell myself, when you are a kid you think playing NRL is a dream come true. I kept telling myself ‘how good is this? I’m playing NRL’. It was a tough start, but I still love playing.

Dearden grew up idolising fellow Mackay boy CherryEvans, who is 12 years older.

Cherry-Evans said he had confidence in the 21-year-old.

“We had a coffee when he was in and he asked me all these questions and straight away from the smiles and the nods I knew we were going to be all right,” Cherry-Evans said.