Dearden was easily the Maroons' best in their series-deciding win on Wednesday, vindicating coach Billy Slater's bold call to drop Daly Cherry-Evans after game one.
The 24-year-old scored a double, had a hand in the Maroons' other two tries and came up with a couple of crucial defensive plays in the second half of the 24-12 win.
It was enough to give him man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series honours, with Slater again declaring it is now "Tom's time".
Dearden debuted for Australia in last year's Pacific Championships with Cameron Munster and Cleary out, before being the Kangaroos' best in the final against Tonga.
But he said it was premature for him to eye off the Kangaroos' No.7 jersey for this year's end-of-season Ashes series, with Cleary expected to retain his spot.
"I think Nathan Cleary is the best player in the game, he's the No.7 no matter what," Dearden said.
"I'd of course love to be involved in the squad, but it's something that we don't have to think about until the end of the year.
"It's out of my control and all I can worry about is going back and playing good footy for the Cowboys."
Australia must also decide on a coach for that Ashes tour, after Mal Meninga vacated the role to take on the Perth Bears.
Any call on Cleary would be extremely unlikely, given the four-time premiership winner has an unblemished record in five Tests for Australia.
Dearden also played down his status as a big-game player, insistent it was just by chance he had been best afield in two headline representative matches.
But what Queenslanders don't doubt is that they can rely on Dearden when required.
As good as the halfback was in attack as he constantly fooled NSW with his dummies, Dearden's defence was equally impressive.
He had a crucial cover tackle to deny Brian To'o a try to keep a 20-0 lead for the Maroons.
He also rushed across to stop the winger on another break, at a time when fatigue was entering the game.
"It's a pretty easy one (to keep going). You look down and you realise you're wearing the Maroon jersey and with that comes a lot of responsibility," Dearden said.
"Because you're not only playing for the team, you're representing the whole state and you just feel that Queensland spirit and it keeps driving you."
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