Scott Drinkwater’s Future Under Scrutiny as Cowboys Allow Negotiations
Scott Drinkwater is currently involved in urgent discussions with North Queensland and those close to him regarding his future in the sport. The club has given his management permission to explore potential moves for 2027, which has sparked considerable interest among fans and analysts alike.
Drinkwater delivered a standout performance in the 35-31 victory over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. His efforts came just hours after his manager confirmed that the Cowboys would allow him to negotiate with other clubs despite being under contract. This development marks a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the fullback’s tenure with the team.
The Cowboys recently re-signed strike centre Jaxon Purdue on a four-year deal. This move suggests that the 20-year-old is likely to take over the No.1 position if Drinkwater decides to leave. Potential destinations for the fullback include St George Illawarra or Perth, though no official announcements have been made yet.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten praised Drinkwater’s handling of the situation leading up to the game. “First of all, I would like to acknowledge how well he has handled the last 48 hours,” Payten said. “I was hopeful it wasn’t going to break until after the game so it wasn’t a distraction in his 150th game. The way he handled that and the way he played is a credit to him.”
Despite his impressive performance, Payten admitted he had not yet spoken face-to-face with Drinkwater about the contract developments. “So I will make this comment: his management asked us if it was okay to negotiate with other clubs on Wednesday, and we gave him the green light,” Payten said. “I don’t want to make any more comment than that until I speak to Scott face-to-face.”
Drinkwater addressed the situation during an interview with ABC Radio after the match. He referred to the recent reports about his potential exit as “rumours.” “They came out Wednesday and we were playing Friday so I tried to turn my phone off and focus on this game,” he said. “I’m going to have to address the rumours and see what’s going on. I’ll get back to the family on the weekend and go from there.”
During the game, Drinkwater set up Purdue for a 75m run that showcased the young talent’s speed and evasion skills. This play highlighted why the Cowboys decided to re-sign Purdue. “He is a fair athlete … fair footballer,” Payten said. “I’m glad we have locked him away. What I love about Jaxon is how much he loves our club. It was evident in the way he spoke in interviews post his signing. It means a great deal for him to wear our jersey and our club was essentially established for that very reason, so the kids of North Queensland can play in front of their friends and family.”
