In the first episode of the club’s new ‘Cowboys Saloon’ podcast, in partnership with Triple M and Toyota, host Elliott Lovejoy sits down with Tom Dearden for a wide-ranging conversation about his junior football career in Mackay, moving down south to the Gold Coast, making his debut as an 18-year-old with the Broncos and his decision to join the Cowboys in 2021.
The 23-year-old then speaks about the role Todd Payten, the coaching staff and Chad Townsend played in getting his NRL career back on track, the story behind him making his Origin debut during the NRL’s bubble in 2022 and being named co-captain earlier this year.
>>> Listen to the full podcast here
Key topics
0.54 – His early years, moving to Mackay and his junior footy
2.21 – Why Johnathan Thurston is his rugby league idol
3.43 – Being coached by his dad in Mackay
4.53 – Moving down to the Gold Coast to be closer to extended family
6.07 – Adjusting to life on the Gold Coast and attending Palm Beach Currumbin
7.15 – What he learned from being coached by Matt Geyer as a 16-year-old
7.55 – Being a part of the Broncos development system and picking up a first grade contract
9.53 – Making his NRL debut as an 18-year-old with the Broncos
12.01 – The conversations that were had around him joining the Cowboys
12.49 – Moving to Townsville and living with Mitch Dunn
14.10 – The slow start to his Cowboys career and his first win
14.49 – How Todd Payten, Chad Townsend and the coaching staff helped him get his confidence back
16.50 – His first Origin camp and the story about finding he’d make his Origin debut in 2022 after Cam Munster tested positive for Covid
19.00 – The emotional call home to tell his parents he’d be making his Origin debut
19.51 – His Origin debut, the last-minute message from JT and seeing his family in the stands
23.30 – The wealth of great halves in Queensland
24.28 – Re-signing until the end of 2029 and being named co-captain
25.19 – His friendship with Reuben Cotter and the qualities they want to bring as co-captains
