The Maroons star’s hopes of returning for Game 3 have been dealt another blow.
Details have emerged about an injury setback for Tom Dearden that has dented his hopes of returning for the Maroons in the State of Origin decider. Queensland coach Billy Slater was already facing a selection headache around Dearden for Game 3, following standout displays from his replacement Sam Walker in the opening two games.
Dearden was the player of the series in 2025 as the Maroons claimed the Origin shield. And he was expected to come straight back into the side when he returns from an ankle injury suffered in the Cowboys’ Round 10 loss to the Parramatta Eels. But it’s since emerged that Dearden actually suffered a leg fracture that was not originally picked up on scans.
An injury setback for Maroons hero Tom Dearden (R image, second from right) has dented his hopes of returning for Billy Slater’s (L) Queensland side for the State of Origin decider. Pic: GettyThe Cowboys initially diagnosed Dearden with a syndesmosis injury to his ankle after a tackle from Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr. The halfback was ruled out for around six weeks and underwent surgery to repair the damage. But subsequent scans picked up a fracture in Dearden’s ankle that has set back his recovery by at least one week.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten revealed details of Dearden’s injury on Thursday, and said the club was hopeful of having him back for the Round 17 clash against Penrith on Saturday week. But it leaves Dearden with potentially only one game against the ladder-leading Panthers to force his way back into Origin calculations before Slater names his Game 3 squad.
“The fracture was higher up on the ankle than the actual syndesmosis (injury),” Payten told reporters on Thursday. “The initial injury was syndesmosis and then we found out that he had a fracture, probably a couple of weeks after his initial scan. So that’s just slowed him down a week.”
Tom Dearden is no certainty to return for the Cowboys in Round 17 in what would be his only game before the Origin 3 squads are named. Pic: GettyTom Dearden ‘touch and go’ to return in Round 17
Dearden is no certainty to return in Round 17 either after Payten described him as a “touch and go” prospect for the Penrith game. The clash against the competition leaders already loomed as a tough enough assignment for Dearden. But if he’s unable to play, it would be a huge risk for Slater to pick him for the Origin decider after such a long lay-off.
Walker’s man-of-the-match display in the Maroons’ Game 2 victory on Wednesday night have further complicated the situation for Dearden. The Roosters halfback was also Queensland’s best during their loss in the Origin opener and would be expected to hang onto his starting spot when Dearden returns.
But having someone of Dearden’s class on the bench would be an enormous luxury for Slater in the Origin series decider in Brisbane. And skipper Cameron Munster said the Maroons had to find a spot for Dearden somewhere in the squad if he’s fit.
“We’ve got Tommy Dearden coming back, so the three of us could be a big force,” Munster said. “So we’ll see how we go and how we manage that. I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. You can’t leave out Tommy Dearden. The Wally Lewis Medal winner, so we’ll find room for him.”
Source: Yahoo!