NRL 2021: Scott Drinkwater re-signs, Titans poach Esan Marsters, Paul Turner joins Titans

Cowboys playmaker Scott Drinkwater has decided where his NRL future lies, after his manager met with the Broncos last week to discuss a move to Red Hill.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Will Hopoate of the Bulldogs is tackled by Hayze Perham and Paul Turner of the Warriors during the round 15 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium on August 23, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have completed another scrumbase coup with the club staving off a poaching threat from the Broncos to retain promising playmaker Scott Drinkwater.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Drinkwater has agreed to terms on a two-year extension in a major boost for the Cowboys ahead of Saturday night’s derby against the Broncos in Townsville.

The Cowboys have poached Sharks veteran Chad Townsend and Broncos rookie Tom Dearden in the past fortnight and now they have bolstered their scrumbase stocks with the retention of Drinkwater.

Drinkwater’s management met with the Broncos last week, with Brisbane considering the utility as a possible fullback, but the Cowboys have won the battle, securing him until the end of 2023.

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Scott Drinkwater has re-signed with the Cowboys. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Drinkwater plays his 36th top-grade game against the Broncos this week and is rated one of the code’s emerging playmakers after steering the Cowboys to the NRL Nines trophy last year as he was named player of the tournament.

“Scott is enjoying his footy under coach Todd Payten and his combination with Valentine Holmes is building into a real attacking force,” said his manager Chris Orr of Pacific Sports Management.

While interested, the Broncos were unable to table an offer for Drinkwater due to salary-cap pressures, helping the Cowboys in their quest to retain the former Storm utility.

Marsters, Turner move to the Titans

The Gold Coast Titans have moved quickly to bolster their squad by signing out-of-favour Cowboys centre Esan Marsters immediately and poaching Warriors utility Paul Turner.

Marsters has been released by North Queensland and will be available for selection with the Titans in Saturday’s game against his former club Wests Tigers in Sydney.

Marsters, 24, made his NRL debut for the Tigers in 2017 and became a New Zealand Test player the following year, before joining the Cowboys in 2020.

He has gone off the boil in Townsville and fell out-of-favour with new coach Todd Payten, making only three NRL appearances this year before being picked up by the Titans.

Paul Turner has turned his back on a Broncos offer to sign with the Titans instead. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The Titans have fallen in a heap following a promising start to the season, losing their past three games and suffering injuries to backline players Patrick Herbert (calf) and Corey Thompson (ankle), prompting the signing of Marsters until the end of 2022.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook said Marsters would be a solid addition for the club.

“Esan is a quality player and will fit in really well with what we’re building at the Titans,” Holbrook said.

“He’ll bring energy and effort and he also brings experience having played Test football six times for New Zealand and once for the Cook Islands.

“With Corey Thompson and Patrick Herbert on the sidelines, there’s no doubt he will be an important player in the short term for our side but he also adds plenty as we build our roster for finals football for this year and beyond.

“We look forward to welcoming him to the Gold Coast and we’re excited about him becoming a Titan.”

The Titans continued their recruitment drive by winning a tug-of-war with the Broncos for the signature of Turner.

Esan Marsters has joined the Titans effective immediately. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Warriors have confirmed Turner will leave the club to an NRL rival but did not specify which team the 20-year-old would be joining from next season.

News Corp can reveal that club is the Titans, who have added another promising talent to their ranks after snaring Queensland Origin stars David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui last season.

The Broncos were close to snaring Turner last month as part of a straight-swap deal with Reece Walsh, but when the transfer collapsed, Brisbane remained interested and tabled a fresh two-year contract.

The Titans matched those terms and have won the race, securing Turner until the end of 2023.

The Junior Kiwis star made his NRL debut last year and has added another two games this season, including a try in their recent defeat of the Dragons.

The Dragons clash ended badly for Turner, who injured his shoulder in the 20-14 win and has undergone season-ending surgery.

The Warriors have confirmed Turner’s departure.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Pauly as he’s been with us since 2018 and made his NRL debut with the club last year,” Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan said.

Justin Holbrook has added two strong outside back option. Picture: Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos

“His shoulder reconstruction has obviously ended his season and now it has ended his time with us.

“We made him a good offer which outweighed his new club’s deal but he and his support network believe his chances of playing NRL are greater elsewhere.

“While we are disappointed we thank Pauly for his contribution and wish him all the best for his future.”

Turner is a speedy five-eighth or outside back who will bolster a Titans backline providing support for the likes of Ash Taylor, Jamal Fogarty and Queensland Origin custodian AJ Brimson.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Scott Drinkwater re-signs, Titans poach Esan Marsters, Paul Turner joins Titans