‘Mind games’, or can’t make up his mind? Dearden back at No.7 as Broncos mystery grows
Broncos coach Kevin Walters is in danger of losing prodigious halfback Tom Dearden to a rival club as he continues to chop and change his halves at training ahead of Round 1.
Dearden was expected to partner Anthony Milford to start the season, before Brodie Croft was switched to halfback at training this week following the Broncos’ 34-18 trial loss to the Cowboys.
However on Thursday Dearden was back running with the main team in a sign that Walters is either not set on his halfback or wants to bring the best out of his options with some intense competition.
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“Halfback intrigue continues at Brisbane Broncos with Dearden back teaming up with Milford .. after Croft spent majority of last session there,” Ben Davis tweeted.
Halfback intrigue continues @brisbanebroncos – Dearden back teaming up with Milford .. after Croft spent majority of last session there @7NewsBrisbanepic.twitter.com/w5IRNqH7lx
“Walters told Dearden on Tuesday he could be playing for Souths Logan this Saturday in a trial or for the Broncos in Round 1,” Chris Garry tweeted.
“Kevvie (Walters) playing mind games with halves early. Dangerous with multiple clubs ready to pay big for Dearden.”
Walters told Dearden on Tuesday he could be playing for Souths Logan this Saturday in a trial or for the Broncos in rd 1. Kev playing mind games with halves early. Dangerous with multiple clubs ready to pay big for Dearden. https://t.co/hNLqcqv1aL
Healthy rivalry can be a good thing in rugby league, but chopping and changing halves to breed competition has the potential to backfire as Tigers coach Michael Maguire found out last season.
Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Josh Reynolds all found themselves dropped at some stage in 2020 and the Tigers’ season imploded as all three lost confidence and form.
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The Broncos under Anthony Seibold in 2020 were another team that struggled for combinations as their coach used different halves pairings and eventually finished with a historic wooden spoon.
Dearden is still learning his craft after just 17 NRL games since his debut in 2019, so Walters may just be wanting to give him more game time for Souths Logan.
Croft has more experience after 53 games for the Storm and Broncos since his debut in 2016, but he was disappointing in his first season in Brisbane.
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Walters can ill afford to get the off-contract Dearden off-side with a number of clubs, including the Cowboys, who met with the 19-year-old last month ready to pounce and secure his services for 2022 and beyond.
Time will tell if Walters’ approach leads to success, but if he gets it wrong then he could lose a player that he can build the team around for the next 10 years and be left with Croft, who has so far failed to deliver at Red Hill.
Originally published as‘Mind games’, or can’t make up his mind? Dearden back at No.7 as Broncos mystery grows
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