A Kangaroos No.7 jersey could be the next reward for Queensland halfback Tom Dearden who was “lost for words” after cementing his legacy as one of the best playmakers in the game following one of the biggest selection calls in State of Origin history.
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The Maroons playmaker claimed the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player for the series on the back an unforgettable game three as Queensland sealed a comeback series win.
Coach Billy Slater made the stunning move to drop veteran skipper Daly Cherry-Evans after the game one loss at home, with Dearden brought in to play halfback after he started the series opener on the bench.
The selection bombshell could’ve gone very differently but ended up proving to be a masterstroke as the tenacious Cowboy showed the same energy and Queensland spirit that he did when he was rushed in to make his debut in the 2022 decider.
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Dearden was perfect in Wednesday night’s upset win, scoring a try in each half and producing a brutal tackle to deny Brian To’o a certain four points when he threw his body in front of the NSW wrecking ball.
He joins halves partner Cameron Munster as a recipient of the prestigious Wally Lewis Medal, with Johnathan Thurston in 2008 the last half before that to win the award after he too switched positions as the Maroons came from 1-0 down to win the series.
“It doesn’t get much better than that feeling,” Dearden said.
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“To win the series in the fashion that we did is a great feeling and makes you proud to be a Queenslander.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet and I was a bit lost for words up there talking on stage.
“You look at some of the players that have won that medal, so to now have received that same Wally Lewis Medal – an Origin great – it’s a special feeling.
“I’m just proud.”
Dearden must now be the favourite to play halfback for Australia in the Ashes later this year given he was also named man of the match for the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final last year.
His running game is on another level at the moment and helped him score the sealer on Wednesday night, while his support play is just as good as he backed up a Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow break to score his first.
“I don’t really know how I see it (my game) but I really love competing,” he said, with Dearden coming a long way since he was let go by the Broncos midway through 2021.
“I know when you get to play in these teams, you have so many great players around you. That brings out the best in me.
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“I certainly dreamed of it (being the Queensland halfback). When you’re a young player, you never think it’s going to happen. But I dreamed of it and am proud to be a part of it and wearing the No.7 jersey for Queensland.”
His defence is also on song after his courageous play to prevent To’o from scoring yet another Origin try.
“I was just trying to stop him from scoring,” he shrugged.
“I just had to throw my whole body at him. You don’t have too much time to think in those situations so it’s about attacking it and doing it.
“I think he threw the ball back in, so to see Reuben Cotter come across and stop the try was us scrambling and fighting hard for each other.”
Cherry-Evans may not have been there last night to celebrate the famous series win, but Dearden says he played a big role in helping him become the player he is.
“I’ve been very lucky to be involved in camps with Daly to see the way that he leads this team around and the way that he prepares for an Origin game,” he said.
“Just watching that helped me a lot. He’s been instrumental for my development just being involved in camp with him.
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“He (sent me a message after I was picked) saying ‘congratulations and good luck’. He’s a proud Queenslander and he would have wanted the best for us.
“I wasn’t surprised at all because I know Daly Cherry-Evans, and that’s the type of person he is.”
As for his halves partner, Dearden spoke glowingly of the courage Munster showed to play in Wednesday’s decider just days after his father died.
“It’s the character we all know that Cameron Munster is. It was on show all week,” he said.
“I know how hard it was to lose your old man, so for him to then turn up and put in that performance for us shows he’s a special player and means so much to our playing group.
“We all love him. He’s a true Queenslander and he showed that spirit and fight.”
