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August 3, 2026 \u2014 4:55pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Tom Dearden has shut down chatter the North Queensland star would tear up his contract and move to Sydney in a fiery press conference in Townsville.<\/p>\n The rugby league rumour mill ignited when the Cowboys co-captain\u2019s partner \u2013 Sydney business owner Millie Olliver \u2013 revealed the pair were expecting their first child<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among those suggestions were the Queensland Maroons halfback would seek an early release from his lucrative five-year deal which expires at the end of 2029.<\/p>\n But Dearden, fronting reporters despite remaining sidelined through injury, dispelled the theory and said he was fed up with the questions aimed at his family.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cI don\u2019t feel like I should have to get up here and explain myself against speculation because it\u2019s just been a whole lot of nonsense. I\u2019ve got my private life with a partner who\u2019s pregnant, and I\u2019d like for that to all be kept private,\u201d Dearden said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s had an impact on the private life. When there\u2019s speculation going around like that, you know that people are reading that, and it gives them questions to ask, and you always have to answer to people \u2013 my partner has had to do the same as well.<\/p>\n \u201cThe private life part is private for a reason, and I just think it\u2019s a bit disappointing my partner and family has had to deal with a lot of questions because of speculation that has gone around in the media.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been no suggestions or no thinking about not being committed to the Cowboys. I\u2019m not recommitting \u2026 I\u2019ve always been committed to the Cowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n Dearden has endured an injury-riddled campaign, having undergone surgery on a syndesmosis issue which robbed him of a State of Origin appearance \u2014 one which would have given him the chance to defend his Wally Lewis Medal.<\/p>\n He managed just one game on his comeback \u2013 scoring a try and setting up another in the Cowboys\u2019 loss to the Dolphins \u2013 before being sidelined again with a muscle tear in his shin.<\/p>\n In his absence, North Queensland secured a hard-fought triumph of the Broncos before suffering the worst defeat in their history against the Roosters \u2013 an 82-12 capitulation which coach Todd Payten described as their \u201cdarkest day\u201d.<\/p>\n The loss leaves the club teetering on the brink of the finals\u2019 wilderness, currently sitting in ninth but with a bye up their sleeve, which Dearden revealed was his intended comeback date.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually tracking pretty well, I\u2019ve hopefully only got a few more weeks and the shin is starting to feel pretty good,\u201d Dearden said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hoping to be back after the bye, I think that\u2019s about three or four weeks away now, and that\u2019ll give it enough time for this injury to heal. I want to make sure I\u2019m right before I come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n From our partners![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/475ae2e806f1ea9bb03dfae8f243b97376fd6b9b.jpeg\")
Tom Dearden is closing in on a return from injury.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Hamiso](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/5968c53b0a5f721efd4aedc58f46df061c8920aba41f56e620385bf8703c9788.jpeg\")
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