Prominent Queensland journalist Peter Badel has declared Brisbane Broncos officials should "hang their heads in shame" for allowing Tom Dearden to leave the club. Dearden is the toast of the NRL world after winning the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series in State of Origin.

The halfback scored two tries and was sensational on Wednesday night as Queensland beat NSW 24-12 to reclaim the State of Origin shield. Dearden is now a two-time Origin series winner and starred as the Kangaroos won the Pacific Championships last year.

Tom Dearden was player of the series as Queensland won the Origin shield. Image: Getty

The 24-year-old's heroics on Wednesday night have once again exposed the Broncos' massive mistake in not retaining him. Dearden debuted for the Broncos as a teenager in 2019, and was part of the 2020 Brisbane side that finished last.

In 2021 he was dumped to reserve grade, and the Broncos effectively gave up on him when they allowed him to sign with North Queensland mid-season. At the time, the Broncos opted to prioritise other players like Brodie Croft, Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble - a decision that looks very foolish in hindsight.

Tom Dearden started with the Broncos, but they gave up on him. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Broncos torched over decision to let Tom Dearden leave

The Cowboys recognised Dearden's potential and threw him a lifeline, and it's paid off in spades. Dearden is now the Cowboys' captain and has helped turn them into a finals-calibre team since joining.

Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, Courier Mail journalist Padel turned the blowtorch on the Broncos and once again questioned why they let him leave. “I’ve got to say that the Broncos should hang their heads in shame over this,” Badel said. “He was in their system, he was in the Broncos academy, they were bringing him through. He was identified as a 15-year playmaker and he was just let go.

“In the end, they just lost faith in him, even though he was 21 at the time, and they were not convinced he would take the next step. And it’s a credit to the Cowboys and Todd Payten, their coach, that they picked him up on a mid-season transfer. His confidence was absolutely shot, and they showed faith in him, they showed patience in him.

“I spoke with Todd Payten, who said they could have put him in reserve grade, but he chose to keep in the NRL to get his confidence back. So well done to the Cowboys because the Broncos have lost a generational talent.”

Tom Dearden starred in the State of Origin decider. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Could Tom Dearden take Nathan Cleary's Test spot?

Dearden's heroics came after Maroons coach Billy Slater made the incredibly brave call to axe captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans after Game 1. Dearden vindicated the call and proved it to be a masterstroke.

Broncos and Maroons legend Wally Lewis said on SEN: “(The selection of Dearden) turned out to be a wonderful call made by the selectors and the coach, and it worked. That’s one of the best performances I’ve seen from a guy that was under enormous pressure, and he certainly deserves plenty of credit.”

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Dearden's Origin triumph has sparked questions about whether he might take Nathan Cleary's No.7 jumper for the Kangaroos in the Ashes series later this year. Dearden and Mitchell Moses were the halves pairing when the Kangaroos won the Pacific Championships last year, but Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary were out injured.

Conventional wisdom says Munster and Cleary will be 6 and 7 in the Ashes, but Dearden might have put his nose in front of Cleary. His combination with Munster that won Queensland the Origin series will also come into consideration when the Kangaroos team is picked.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/broncos-brutal-mistake-laid-bare-after-tom-dearden-origin-triumph-hang-their-heads-in-shame-024259340.html