Scott Drinkwater’s Decision to Join the Dragons
Scott Drinkwater, a standout player in the rugby league, has made a significant move by signing with the St George Illawarra Dragons. This decision has put club executives in a challenging position, as the team is currently navigating a period of uncertainty. The Dragons secured Drinkwater’s commitment last month, and he will join the club in 2027 on a three-year contract reportedly worth $900,000 per season.
This signing is a major achievement for the struggling club, especially considering that they are still without a head coach. Dean Young is currently acting as an interim coach for the remainder of this season following the premature termination of Shane Flanagan’s contract. However, Young’s future beyond this season remains uncertain.
Drinkwater has stated that his decision to join the Dragons was largely influenced by his personal connection with Young. During an interview on Nine’s Today, Drinkwater shared his thoughts on the club’s potential. “I was talking to the CEO, Tim (Watsford), he is very bullish in his approach to how he’s going to get things done,” he said. “They’ve got a really good crop of young forwards who have played a lot of good footy together. The Couchman twins, Dylan Egan, and Hamish Stewart… they are only going to get more experienced.”
Drinkwater also mentioned his positive relationship with Val Holmes, which further encouraged him to join the Dragons. “I’ve got a good connection with Val (Holmes), so going down there to link back up with him. And I’ve had some really good conversations with Dean Young. I think I probably played my best footy when he was at the Cowboys, and he was the main reason why (I signed with the Dragons). There’s a few things that excite me down there.”
Young, a 2010 premiership winner with the Dragons, previously served as an assistant coach before moving north to work under Cowboys coach Todd Payten for several seasons and then returning home. When Flanagan was dismissed last month, the Dragons opted to appoint Young as interim coach. His first action was to fire fellow assistant coach Michael Ennis, who was considered a contender for the head coaching role.
According to reports from Nine’s Danny Weidler, members of the club’s board are not supportive of Young taking over the head coaching position permanently. If Young is passed over for the job and decides to leave the club, it could create complications for the team’s high-profile signing.
Young has previously held the interim head coaching role when Paul McGregor was sacked by the Dragons, but he did not secure the position and eventually left to work for the Cowboys. In a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Young explained how he convinced Drinkwater to sign with the Dragons. “I told him that with where the club is at the moment, it doesn’t look good, but behind closed doors there are a lot of positives happening,” Young said. “I’m close with Drinky and I told him that as a friend – take away the coaching side of it. I wouldn’t tell you to come to a joint that is a basket case. No one wants to lose, especially Drinky because he’s so competitive. I think the club is on the way up, and he was pretty positive about it.”
The Dragons are yet to secure a win this season, with their most recent loss being a 62-16 defeat against the Roosters on Anzac Day. They are set to face the Knights on Saturday.
