MR INCREDIBLE
Schoolboy mentor hails Coast’s newest NRL whiz-kid
TOM Dearden’s elevation to Broncos debutant was inevitable, according to the school coach who knows him best.
The 18-year-old halfback is set to make his NRL debut against South Sydney on Thursday night at the expense of Kodi Nikorima.
Anthony Seibold did not name the Kiwi playmaker in his matchday squad, leaving Dearden (pictured) to don Brisbane’s No.7 jersey.
Blooding such a young halfback is risky, but Dearden’s former mentor Aaron Zimmerle isn’t concerned.
Zimmerle enjoyed a frontrow seat to Dearden’s blossoming career at Palm Beach Currumbin, coaching him to an NRL Schoolboys title in 2018, and is backing the youngster to recreate his freakish highlights reel in the NRL cauldron.
“The thing we came to learn about Tom is that he is incredible and that nothing should surprise you,” Zimmerle said.
“He’s humble about his abilities, he has a terrific work ethic and he always wants to continue getting better.
“Whatever level he’s playing at, whether it’s school, Mal Meninga Cup (under-18) or QCup, he will rise to that level no matter what.”
After steering Palm Beach to Allan Langer Cup glory last year, captain Dearden was at the heart of their NRL Schoolboys triumph, scoring a 70m try in their 20-12 final win over Patrician Brothers Blacktown.
Since then, he’s rocketed to Intrust Super Cup stardom after earning man-of-thematch honours in his Wynnum-Manly Seagulls debut.
“Tom debuted for us in Year 11 and when we gave him the captaincy as a challenge last year, that’s when he stepped up even more,” Zimmerle said.
“We already knew he was talented but he grew as a leader among his peers to go with his incredible skills. I’d say there were three or four games last year where we couldn’t have won without Tom and there are things no one else can do on the field except him.
“There’s that rare breed you come across once in a while and he’s one of them.”
BRISBANE skipper Darius Boyd has backed fellow Palm Beach Currumbin product Tom Dearden to handle his NRL debut as the Broncos prepare to unveil the youngest starting halfback in their history in tomorrow night’s grudge match against South Sydney.
In a selection bombshell, first-choice half Kodi Nikorima is set to join the Warriors, clearing the path for Dearden to debut against Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs at 18 years and 50 days at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Underlining the risk being taken by coach Anthony Seibold, the Broncos have never started with an 18-year-old halfback, with Ben Hunt having made his debut in the famous Brisbane No.7 jumper aged 19 years and 87 days in 2009.
Former playmaker Brett Seymour made his Broncos debut aged 17 years and 241 days in 2002, but, unlike Dearden, he was kept out of the early fireworks by coming off the interchange bench.
There will be nowhere to hide for Dearden, a Mackay product who is so young he was ineligible for first-grade just two months ago before his 18th birthday on March 13 cleared him for selection with NRL authorities.
While Nikorima is in the final stages of being released, Dearden trained alongside five-eighth Anthony Milford yesterday at Red Hill.
Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is sure to order his Rabbitohs troops to bash Dearden but Boyd backed the blond-haired dynamo to handle a Souths onslaught led by enforcers Sam, Tom and George Burgess.
“You could say I’m shocked, but the talent coming through this club is enormous,” Boyd said.
“Tommy has just finished high-school and playing for the Australian Schoolboys, but age is only a number. If you are ready, you are ready – and he’s ready.”
A member of the Maroons Emerging Origin camp in January, Dearden arrived at the Broncos in pre-season slightly-built at 78kg, but has bulked up to 84kg after coach Seibold kept him away from the playing field for a month to bulk him up in the gym.
The teenage sensation was outstanding in his first game for the Broncos in senior company in February, scoring two tries in his first 31 minutes in a 42-0 trial rout of Souths Logan at Warwick.
The 177cm halfback has since impressed in four Intrust Super Cup games for Wynnum Manly, convincing Seibold he has the toughness and talent to handle the NRL.