It’s easy to forget that next week’s clash will be the first time Tom Dearden will play in back-to-back Origin matches given how seamlessly he’s slotted into Queensland spine.
Selected as 18th Man for Game One of the 2022 campaign, Dearden made his Maroons debut in Game Three when Cameron Munster was ruled out under COVID protocols before being called in by coach Billy Slater to step in place for of the injured Storm star in this year's series.
With Munster not likely to be available for selection again until after the series, Dearden said he felt comfortable in making the transition from understudy to incumbent after the backing from Slater.
“Billy, he's a great coach and he gives you a lot of confidence in your own ability, in your own game and I think that's what makes it so comfortable coming into these camps; you know your role and you're so clear with it,” Dearden told NRL.com.
“I know that when I go out there that all I have to do is get my job done for Queensland.
“He just wants me to play to my strengths and I think my strengths are that I really enjoy the competing part of the game and all the effort areas.
“As a half, you have just got to be able to organise your area and have your edge set and also defend well, so I think they're the simple things that I try and do well.”
Dearden has been handed more responsibility at club level this year with North Queensland which has added another element to his game, sharing captaincy duties with fellow Maroons representative Reuben Cotter.
In all, Queensland have six Cowboys represented in the squad, with Dearden praising the work for second rower Heilum Luki in earning his call-up to the extended squad.
"We know how damaging he can be as a back-rower and no doubt in the near future or in the distant future, that he'll be wearing a Maroon jersey," Dearden said.
"It’s awesome to see him get an opportunity to come in here to camp."
On his own opportunity to have an extended run in the starting side for the Maroons, Dearden said he was looking forward to repaying the faith shown in him by Slater and capitalising on his time with the team.
From the field: Dearden
“It's just a good opportunity for me," Dearden said.
"I think Munster's obviously been a massive part of Queensland and Queensland being so successful over the last few series.
“But it's a great opportunity and I feel really comfortable and I'm nice and settled and hopefully we can go down to Melbourne and seal it up.
"Origin is always hard no matter where you're playing and it's going to be a big venue and we're just looking forward to getting down there.
"The MCG is such an iconic venue, so it's exciting to be able to get the opportunity to go down there and play in Origin down there."
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