Scott Drinkwater

Scott Drinkwater sees the football field in three dimensions while most see it in two. The North Queensland Cowboys fullback has developed into one of the most skilful players in the NRL, a genuine playmaker from the back whose passing, running and kicking create tries that begin with vision and end with the ball on the white line. His combination with the Cowboys’ halves gives North Queensland a multi-layered attack that keeps defensive structures guessing, and his football IQ — the ability to find the right option at the right moment — is the thread that ties it all together. In Townsville, Drinkwater has become the creative heart of the Cowboys’ attacking structure.

Career Statistics

Player Profile

Through 120 games and 40 tries, Drinkwater has proven himself as one of the most creative fullbacks in the competition. His vision, his skill, and his ability to operate as an extra playmaker from the back give the Cowboys an attacking dimension that makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the NRL. In 2026, Drinkwater continues to be central to everything North Queensland does in attack, the inventive custodian whose creativity lights up the tropical nights in Townsville.

EC — Senior features writer, australiafootball.com