Fresh off a new contract, Scott Drinkwater has been backed to go up a gear against the Broncos
Cowboys coach Todd Payten believes Scott Drinkwater can find another level after settling his future in North Queensland.
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The expectation has not changed, but Todd Payten hopes Scott Drinkwater will take his game to the next level after securing his future at the club this week.
The slick five-eighth inked a two-year contract extension at the club, with the Cowboys putting their faith in his unpredictable attacking style.
But with Ben Hampton out for an extended period with a pectoral tear, Payten believes it is up to Drinkwater to step up and pull the strings behind the pack.
Jake Clifford has been given license to be vocal behind the advantage line, but Payten said the young halfback cannot be expected to do it alone in his first game back in more than a month.
“They both have to share the responsibility,” Payten said. “Jake will come in and lead the team around with his talk, but Drinky has his part to play in that as well.
“I am hoping he can (go to another level). The different coaches we have here have spoken to him at different times about our expectations of him and his position.
“He wants to be a five-eighth, he creates points and he can ID space. He can read numbers and he can execute big plays. But as a five-eighth you have to have some sort of responsibility around our direction and kicking game as well.
“He has got that right for the most part in the past month and that is why his form has improved and subsequently our team has improved.”
As for his teammates, Payten said the squad had made sure to keep the 23-year-old grounded after he shunned interest from the Broncos to remain in Townsville.
“I think they are all pretty excited, (there was) a couple of pretty smart alec remarks about having him around for another couple of years,” Payten said.
“Drinky is your typical half or five-eighth, he is small in stature and loud with what comes out of his mouth. He is quick witted, so the boys just reminded him, just trying to cut him down a peg.”
Drinkwater has been in sizzling form with the ball in hand this season leading the Cowboys with five try assists and two four-pointers of his own.
LEMUELU’S LESSONS FROM TONGAN TAUMINATOR
Cowboys centre Connelly Lemuelu believes forcing his way into the team at the expense of an international representative has been the confidence boost needed to cement himself in the NRL.
The 22-year-old edged out Kiwi star Esan Marsters prior to his release to the Gold Coast Titans, and has been a staple selection under Todd Payten since round four.
Steadily he has found his feet adjusting to the speed of NRL, and has begun to take the game on more — evidenced by his eight tackle busts in the past three weeks.
Lemuelu admitted being able to unseat a man with international experience had been the injection of self belief he needed to realise he could his own at the elite level.
Now it was about sustaining that and finding new ways to spark the North Queensland outfit.
“I’m enjoying it, this is the most consecutive games I’ve played since coming into first grade; the body is feeling it a bit, with the physicality of first grade, but I’m enjoying it,” Lemuelu said.
“We’re building combinations out there, every opportunity we get to go out there we’re looking to put our best foot forward.”
Ahead of his first clash with the Brisbane Broncos, Lemuelu said there was already plenty of hype which had accompanied preparations.
Both sides are coming off contests where they had to launch a comeback.
While the Cowboys were unable to complete the job against New Zealand, the Broncos rallied from an early 22-0 deficit to march away with a 36 to 28 victory — their first over a team other than the Bulldogs since round two last year.
Plenty of Brisbane’s points came out wide, with every member of their back five crossing over the Gold Coast Titans’ line.
Lemuelu said edge defence had become a major part of their defensive focus this week, determined to ensure they began the game as resiliently as what their past two second half performances have been.
He said he had fed off the passion his teammates had for the derby to inspire what he hopes is the standout effort of his career.
“I think this is one of the more emotional games throughout the season, a lot of emotion comes into it,” Lemuelu said.
“I know it means a lot to the town and region, Jase (Taumalolo) has talked me through about what it means to him. Brisbane always call themselves the older brother, so we’re looking at going out there to get on top of them.
“We showed in that second half (against the Warriors) what we can do if we play to the way we know we can play. If we stick to our structures we can score points and be good enough to defend it.”
Star Cowboy announces his future steps
Scott Drinkwater has declared the tussle for the five-eighth jersey had no baring on his decision to remain in Townsville, and that there was never any temptation to leave the Cowboys.
The electric 23-year-old put pen to paper on Wednesday to re-sign with North Queensland for a further two seasons.
Ever since Cowboys coach Todd Payten made it clear he was seeking to cement his 2022 halves pairing sooner rather than later, Drinkwater has flourished in the number six jumper.
From the past four games he has been credited with six try assists, his deft short kicking game causing headaches for rival outfits.
There were initially question marks hanging over his long-term future in Townsville in light of a recruitment drive which secured the services of Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden.
However Drinkwater said their presence was never a factor in his choice to remain in the north, with the competition for the spot set to only fuel him when the time comes.
“It didn’t play on me at all, I back myself every day of the week,” he said.
“I wasn’t too worried about who’s coming here, it’s going to be good competition when they do get here but for now the focus is on 2021.
“You play your best footy when you have to fight for a position; I look back to the start of last year when everyone was calling for Matt Burton to be in the Panthers six and Jarome Luai came in and stepped up to probably be the best five-eighth in the game at the moment.
“This club gave me an opportunity to be a full time first grader, so I felt like I wanted to stay here and give back to the club that’s given me the opportunity — there was no temptation of leaving.”
Drinkwater’s own form spike has coincided with fullback Valentine Holmes’ resurgence, with the pair striking a formidable combination linking up on the left edge.
It was Townsend in 2018 who helped Holmes to his most emphatic campaign to date, and Drinkwater believes the trio can strike up a union able to put fear into opposition defences.
But for now, his eyes are fixed on the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night, and ensuring his reunion at the scrumbase with Jake Clifford is seamless.
Throughout the Cowboys past month of football, Drinkwater has been partnered with Ben Hampton, who has been forced to the casualty ward with a suspected torn pectoral.
It throws a spanner into the works for the North Queensland utility, who comes off contract at season’s end.
However Drinkwater endorsed his re-signing, and said his presence around the squad has an important factor to consider should negotiations occur.
As for Clifford, he said making sure the young halfback was confident heading into the Queensland derby would be paramount in guiding the side home.
“Benny’s probably the best clubman I’ve ever seen so I feel for him, he was playing good footy. He loves the boys, he loves the club and he’d do anything for you – he’s probably the most loyal bloke,” Drinkwater said.
“I just think (Clifford) has got nothing to lose really, he can go out there and play his footy and do what he does best.
“Hopefully he runs the ball, he’s a strong body and strong runner of the ball so hopefully he’s confident in himself.
“When Cliffo is confident he’s a really good player so we need him to be confident.”
Originally published as Fresh off a new contract, Scott Drinkwater has been backed to go up a gear against the Broncos
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