Broncos in trouble as Dearden goes down
BRISBANE’S playmaking stocks have hit crisis point with boom halfback Tom Dearden ruled out for the season in the lead up to the Broncos’ grudgematch against Wayne Bennett’s struggling Souths this Friday night.
Just 24 hours after Tevita Pangai Jr and Jake Turpin were charged by the NRL, News Corp can reveal Dearden will not return this year in another blow to Brisbane’s finals charge.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is set to be on the lookout for a new halfback for the Rabbitohs blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, with makeshift No.7 Turpin facing a twomatch ban for striking in Brisbane’s 24-12 defeat of Penrith last Friday night.
The 18-year-old Dearden, who ironically made his NRL debut against Souths in Round 8, was one option to replace Turpin, but his scratching has left the Broncos scrambling for scrumbase alternatives.
Dearden damaged his ankle against the Titans in Round 13 only to suffer a fresh setback in his Intrust Super Cup comeback a fortnight ago.
It is understood Seibold has decided to place the teenager in cotton wool for the rest of the season for the sake of his long-term welfare to prepare him for action in 2020.
Seibold is set to issue an SOS for fellow rookie Sean O’sullivan, who has played just four first-grade games and would face the biggest test of his embryonic career trying to bring down Bennett’s bunnies.
O’sullivan hasn’t appeared in the top grade since injuring his hamstring in the Baby Broncos’ 24-22 defeat of the Sharks in Round 16.
Brisbane are clinging to seventh spot.