Queensland Maroons co-captain Tom Dearden is positioning himself for a potential return in the deciding State of Origin match on July 8 at Suncorp Stadium, after missing the opening two games of the series due to an ankle injury. Dearden, who has been sidelined since May 8 following a syndesmosis injury, recently underwent ankle surgery and is currently progressing through rehabilitation with the aim of being fit for the Cowboys’ NRL fixture against the Penrith Panthers in Townsville on July 1.

Dearden revealed that while a small fracture higher in his ankle than initially expected delayed his recovery by a week or two, his rehabilitation is tracking well. He identified the Penrith game as the primary goal for his comeback but acknowledged that if he is not cleared for that match, he could still join the Maroons squad the following week as they prepare for Origin III. “Hopefully I’m back next week, but if not it will be the week after,” he said. The Cowboys’ medical team expressed confidence that Dearden would be fit for the Penrith clash, which would give Queensland coach Billy Slater an opportunity to assess his match readiness ahead of the decider.

The potential return of Dearden presents a selection dilemma for Slater. While Sam Walker has cemented his place as Queensland’s starting halfback thanks to strong performances in the first two Origin matches, the question remains whether Dearden should be preferred over teammate Reece Walsh on the six-man bench. Walsh, a dynamic talent known for his ability to make game-changing plays in limited time, narrowly missed out on game time during Origin II despite being activated on the interchange bench. His familiarity with the Suncorp Stadium grounds and explosive style make him an appealing option for the Maroons’ supersub role.

However, supporters of Dearden argue his versatility across key playmaking positions—the halves, second receiver, and even hooker if needed—positions him as an invaluable asset off the bench. Dearden has been a consistent member of the Maroons squad for several years and has previously demonstrated his clutch capabilities, notably stepping up in Origin III 2022 when Cameron Munster withdrew due to illness. Dearden’s composure and loyalty to the team were highlighted by Slater, who recalled the co-captain’s promises to perform under pressure during his Origin debut.

Dearden himself emphasizes the importance of returning fully fit rather than risking a premature comeback. “You don’t want to be underdone or hobbling around because that’s letting your teammates down if you can’t perform at your best,” he said.

As the countdown to the series decider continues, all eyes will be on the Cowboys’ clash with Penrith as a key indicator of Dearden’s readiness and whether Slater will alter his bench composition to reinstate the “Tommy Gun” for Queensland’s critical final battle against New South Wales.