Cowboys name two rival halfback targets

The North Queensland Cowboys have identified off-contract Broncos duo Tom Dearden and Anthony Milford as playmaker targets for 2022.

it comes amid Jake Clifford's impending move to the Newcastle Knights from next season on a two-year deal, leaving a void in the No. 7 jumper.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten confirmed to 7News Brisbane that the Broncos pair were in the club's sights.

“We have to look out for players to fill that spot next year. Tom Dearden’s available, (Anthony) Milford’s available so we’ll get onto that in the next few weeks,” Payten said.

New @nthqldcowboys coach Todd Payten's revealed to 7NEWS he's radically changed how North Queensland play football and is considering shifting Valentine Holmes from fullback. https://t.co/6QvR0OTe9C @ChrisGarry7 #NRL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/uSwCrfDKvX

— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) February 21, 2021

Dearden, 19, has played 17 NRL games all for Brisbane since making his first-grade debut in 2019.

The Mackay junior is one of the league's brightest young playmakers and considered a future star of the game.

7 News’ Chris Garry reported last month that the Cowboys were set make a 'competitive' offer for Dearden and were keen to make him their long-term No. 7.

The @BrisbaneBroncos are facing a fresh raid on their talented nursery. 7NEWS can reveal the @NthQldCowboys are pursuing rising halfback Tom Dearden, who is among several emerging stars off contract and courted by rivals. https://t.co/nK12WwXJQ8 @ChrisGarry7 #NRL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/L2IfyBqvaw

— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) January 25, 2021

Milford has made 180 NRL appearances since his debut in 2013, including a previous stint at the Canberra Raiders.

The 26-year old had struggled to live up to his $1 million contract, with the Broncos at the end last year reportedly allowing him to speak to rival clubs.