Cowboys captain Tom Dearden has shut down “nonsense” rumours that he is looking to leave the club and move to Sydney for personal reasons.
Dearden has endured a tough year, spending time on the sidelines with a syndesmosis injury that put him out of the entire State of Origin series.
It’s been a difficult year for Tom Dearden. Getty
The star halfback returned a few weeks ago before suffering a fresh leg injury, which is expected to keep him off the field for at least another fortnight.
While dealing with the injuries, Dearden has been heavily linked with an early exit from North Queensland, despite being signed until the end of 2029.
The rumours centred around Dearden’s pregnant partner, Millie Oliver, and his potential desire to move interstate for personal reasons.
However, in a strong response on Monday afternoon, the 25-year-old set the record straight and pledged his commitment to the Cowboys.
“There’s been a fair bit of speculation getting around at the moment, there’s been a lot of suggestions that I wanted to move or leave the club,” Dearden said.
“I just wanna make sure [people know] that’s not the case at all, I don’t feel like I should have to get up here and explain myself against speculation
“It’s just been a whole lot of nonsense. I’ve got my private life with a partner who’s pregnant and I’d like for that all to be kept private.
“I’m committed to the Cowboys until the end of 2029 and I think it’s a bit silly that you have to get up here and speak to a bit of nonsense that’s going around.”
Asked if the rumours and suggestions he wanted to leave Townsville next year had affected him away from the field, Dearden admitted it was “disappointing” to have his personal life become a talking point.
“It’s had an impact on the personal life – I’ve got a pregnant partner and I think when there’s speculation getting around like that, people are reading that and it gives them questions to ask and you always have to answer to people,” he said.
“I think it’s a bit disappointing with all the speculation around that and there’s been no suggestions or no thinking about not being committed to the Cowboys.
Tom Dearden with his partner Millie Oliver. Instagram/@millieeoliver
“I’m not recommitting or anything like that, I’ve always been committed to the Cowboys and none of that has ever changed, so it’s a bit disappointing that my partner and family have had to deal with a lot of questions.”
Dearden said he hopes to return from injury after the side’s round 25 bye.
During his absence last weekend, the Cowboys suffered a humiliating 82-12 defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters that has hurt their finals chances.