NRL 2021: Cowboys have yet to table a new deal for off-contract playmaker Scott Drinkwater

Scott Drinkwater steered the Cowboys to NRL Nines supremacy last year but the club wants to see the playmaker become a more consistent force as he fights to win a new deal.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Scott Drinkwater of the Cowboys attempts to break away from the defence during the NRL Trial Match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at Moreton Daily Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Scott Drinkwater is playing for his future at the Cowboys, with North Queensland bosses adopting a wait-and-see approach before they table a new deal for the playmaking utility.

Drinkwater is off-contract at season’s end but the Cowboys will not be rushed into a salary-cap decision as pressure builds on the former Melbourne Storm rookie to deliver more consistent performances.

Drinkwater’s management held preliminary talks with the Cowboys last month at a time when the 23-year-old was linked with the Warriors as a potential replacement for rugby-bound Roger Tuivasa-Sheck next season.

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It was a tough night at the office for Scott Drinkwater and the Cowboys last Saturday.

But with North Queensland facing some critical recruitment-and-retention decisions within a tight salary-cap, the ball is in Drinkwater’s court to convince the club he is worthy of an upgraded deal.

The Cowboys have a salary-cap dilemma.

While Drinkwater has been named in the No.1 jumper for Saturday’s clash against the Dragons, winger Valentine Holmes is being paid fullback-style money with a deal worth more than $800,000 a season.

The Cowboys also have two $1 million players in Jason Taumalolo and Michael Morgan on their books.

Should Holmes eventually clinch the fullback spot, it would leave Drinkwater in limbo, especially if the Cowboys successfully recruit Broncos halfback Tom Dearden to partner Morgan at the scrumbase next season.

Drinkwater’s preference is to remain in Townsville and Cowboys football-operations chief Micheal Luck remains hopeful the parties can strike a deal.

Drinkwater has been told to make the most of his opportunities.

“We are in constant discussions with Scott‘s management about him,” Luck said.

“Every decision we make has a knock-on effect, so we have to be comfortable that the decisions we make are the best mix for the squad.”

North Queensland‘s salary-cap pressure has been eased by Frank Molo’s departure to the Dragons next season, which will free up around $250,000 for the Cowboys.

Drinkwater underlined his potential last year, winning the NRL Nines player-of-the-tournament as he steered the Cowboys to title supremacy in Perth.

The livewire utility finished the 2020 campaign with 19 try assists, playing mostly at five-eighth, but he has struggled with his error-rate and defence, missing 56 tackles last season, the most by any Cowboys player.

“‘Drinky’ went OK on the weekend (in last Saturday’s 24-0 loss to Penrith),” Luck said.

Drinkwater has been handed the fullback role by new coach Todd Payten.

“He knows the areas of his game he has to work on. Todd (Payten, coach) has said the fullback will be the guy that best organises the defensive line and Drinky did a reasonable job of that on Saturday night.

“There is some interest in Drinky but I‘m not sure how strong the interest is. He is a talented player and can do some things other players can’t, so there will always be an interest in a player like Drinky.

“While it‘s disappointing to lose Frank, we now have some money to go to market for other players.”