TOM GETS THE NOD

Teen picked as cover for underdone new Bronco

BRONCOS dynamo Tom Dearden will be thrust into the hooker role for his first NRL appearance in 384 days but coach Anthony Seibold says the teenager’s elevation isn’t a ploy to spark Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft.

Dearden will come off the bench for the Broncos in tonight’s cellar-dweller derby against the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

With bench utility Cory Paix suffering a pectoral injury at training during the week, Dearden will be called upon to provide relief for starting No.9 Issac Luke in an unfamiliar position.

At 80kg, 19-year-old Dearden is not used to defending in the middle but Seibold is hoping an uncomplicated role will help the young talent in his sixth NRL appearance.

“Tommy is there to cover Issac Luke,” Seibold said yesterday. “I don’t think Issac is ready to play 80 minutes yet so we’ve got Tom there as cover.

“He is a really smart footy player. He is very good with his passing and kicking and is a tough kid defensively.

“He doesn’t have to make many decisions in the middle.

“His lack of game time would have put him under pressure (in the halves).”

Milford has been on the end of savage criticism since the reboot of the NRL season a month ago.

Immortal Andrew Johns called for the Broncos’ $1 million-a-season five-eighth to be dropped after last week’s 27-6 loss to Newcastle.

Having resisted the urge to axe Milford, Seibold rejected suggestions Dearden’s selection was a move to spark a form reversal in the halves.

“His presence on the bench isn’t to try and get Milly and Crofty concerned about their positions,“Seibold said.

“He is there to cover Issac Luke, who’s only been here a week and played 50 minutes against the Knights. I don’t think we need Issac playing the full 80 minutes.

“Tommy will cover for the halves if they pick up a bump, but his role this week is purely out of dummy-half. We believe and he believes he can do a good job there.”

The chief criticism of Milford has been around his reluctance to take responsibility for the team.

His running game has been almost non-existent and his playmaking options poor.

Croft has not set the world on fire either during the Broncos’ four-game losing streak but Seibold says that could change with a swing of possession against the Titans.

“When we get some footy, Milf can get into the game,“he said.

“We haven’t adapted or adjusted to the new (rule) interpretations in any way, shape or form. We’ve been heavily penalised through ruck infringements and we haven’t adapted to that.

“We’ve been unable to stop momentum and it’s really hard for your halves if you don’t have field position or the footy.

“Milf and Crofty have had to defend for seven out of the eight halves we’ve played.

“Milly will get better, I haven’t lost belief in him or Crofty. I know if we get an even share of footy Milly and Crofty can do their thing.”