The news broke around 8:30am on Monday Morning that Brisbane Broncos’ young gun Tom Dearden had officially signed a million-dollar deal with rival team the North Queensland Cowboys.
Dearden and the Cowboys came to an agreement worth an estimated $1.1 million over three years which leads to around $350,000 each season.
This is North Queensland’s second big signing over the past week, as Chad Townsend was also brought to the club and will partner Dearden in the halves.
These two players should be a great combo in my opinion because there is a more experienced player mixed with a young rising star.
From my perspective, the right management decision from the Cowboys will be to chase after some quality forwards.
They will be able to have the new-look halves pairing and players like Valentine Holmes play off the back of the forwards.
They have certainly improved over the last three weeks however, as they started the season 0-4 but have won their last three games including a stunning upset over the Raiders on Saturday night.
This signing will be the second part of the halves merry-go round as with Dearden departing it opens the door for possibly Adam Reynolds or Mitchell Moses to join Brisbane.
I think that Brisbane would be silly to not chase after Reynolds as he will bring quality leadership to the side in the halves as Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford have obviously just not been doing their job for the club.
The Broncos would have to put in a large offer for either of those two players because if there is any club that you would not want to play for if the offer is average, it’s the Brisbane Broncos at the moment.
The Broncos have clearly been playing their worst football in club history which is the largest factor in all of their latest player departures.
This move is likely to send Scott Drinkwater to reserve grade or play him somewhere in the backline and Ben Hampton will end up as back up halfback next season as the current Cowboys reserve grade halfback Jake Clifford has signed a deal with the Newcastle Knights from 2022 earlier in the year.
Overall, I believe that this is more pain for me as a Broncos fan because we have lost another young star and are looking more and more likely to lose Katoni Staggs and possibly Xavier Coates.
Joey
Guest
Cowboys keen to lock in a bottom 8 finish for the next few years.
One Man Banned
Roar Rookie
I'll go to all their games Nat and cheer them on wearing my "random Souths guy" Rabbitohs jersey. Moreton Daily Stadium (Dolphin oval) is only 10 - 15 mins drive from me. When I first lived up here Jan. 1999 - Jan. 2003 I lived about 300 metres from Dolphin oval and went to many of their games during that period while the Rabbitohs were in exile.
Nat
Roar Guru
Of course you would take them if available but 2 just signed long contracts and Grant/ Walker will soon enough. It probably will be 2023 before they come available just in time for the Moreton Bay Dolphins - they're gonna get did of the Redcliffe part.
One Man Banned
Roar Rookie
If the Redcliffe Dolphins are fortunate enough to be the next Brisbane expansion side they could do a lot worse than target QLDers Harry Grant, Sam Walker, Cameron Munster and Kayln Ponga as their spine and sign up Father Time Wayne Bennett as coach. That would be a pretty solid foundation to start building a new franchise upon.
One Man Banned
Roar Rookie
"Of that group I would have Cheese, Welsh and Edwards." I would have Harry Grant and Sam Walker (despite only 30 odd combined NRL games and being 23 and 18) over B. Smith, Welsh and Edwards combined. And I'll even throw in TPJ the rollercoaster wrecking ball.
Rob
Guest
This is the thing with expecting a very young inexperienced half to come in with the weight of managing and creating on a weekly basis. I don’t care if you think it’s there job it’s a akin to giving a good apprentice electrician an electrical network to manage or a trainee doctor a list of hip replacement to do. The opportunity to play second fiddle to an experienced kicking, game management style half is probably the pitch the Cowboys used to win his signature.
Christo
Roar Guru
This comment desrves alot of credit as I can see there was a-lot of hard work put into the coment and I appreciate it. I recommend that you should start writing articles as i can see you have a-lot of talent.
Emcie
Roar Guru
They probably didn't think he was risk of leaving for that little coin (relatively), wouldn't be the first mistake they've made
Christo
Roar Guru
This comment should be receiving a-lot of credit with the work you put in and I appreciate it
Christo
Roar Guru
Yes agree and the Broncos management is so poor that they didn't even give Dearden an offer.
Christo
Roar Guru
Yes agree and the Broncos managment is so poor that they didnt even give Dearden an offer.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I might be missing something, but I can't see it. From what I have seen Croft has been the better player this year, and especially when both are on the field maybe it is a case of they are pushing him too soon. he only just turned 20, at this age Cronk was on and off the bench for Melbourne, and didn't become a regular starter until he was 22, Thurston was still a bench player at the Dogs. Maybe he needs a full season in the Qld Cup, and brought in gradually. Have him mature as a playmaker and organiser and then reap the benefits for the next decade.
Emcie
Roar Guru
To a point, I dunno if its going to be the same perfect storm of circumstances that lead to the last halves bidding war
Rellum
Roar Guru
It will impact players contract decisions. If you can, be off contract for 2023 when all sorts of bidding wars might take place
Christo
Roar Guru
Dearden did make the right choice but I would have rather go rid of Milford rather then Dearden
Christo
Roar Guru
Pretty tough to say that as I seen Deaden as our future.
matth
Roar Guru
One point to remember here is that Dearden is a Mackay boy before moving to Keebra park in high school. So there might be an element of going home here as well.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I meant style wise, but i get your point. And to be fair, Luke was always just a stopgap signing when we were runningout of hookers
Don
Roar Rookie
Cheese seems to be one of those guys who brings a good attitude to things as well. Doesn't seem to take himself to seriously but sounds like he goes hard in training and game time.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
i doubt if any of these players would be interested in coming to a deads*#%! club like the Broncos. They would be a better chance in the new expansion club in Brisbane. The Broncos are going to be an also ran club for a long time yet