Star fullback Scott Drinkwater has credited Cowboys coach Todd Payten as the person who’s had the biggest impact on his career.
The 26-year-old spent four-and-a-half years in the Melbourne Storm system, where he was coached by arguably one of the best of all time in Craig Bellamy and trained alongside legendary fullback Billy Slater.
But when asked on the Fox League Podcast who has impacted him the most during his 103-game NRL career, Drinkwater said it’s “for sure” Payten.
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“He transitioned me from a guy who went for the big play into a more controlled and better decision-making player,” he said.
“And that was the key thing from him to me, that I am not going to be playing unless I can nail down my decision-making execution.”
Drinkwater grew up on the Central Coast of New South Wales and spent some time in the Roosters’ system. He caught the attention of rival clubs though while playing for the Australian Schoolboys side in 2015.
The Storm were one of those clubs — and for him it was a no-brainer to pack up and move to Melbourne.
“I’d be crazy if I didn’t take an opportunity to go down there and train with the ‘big three’ and Craig Bellamy,” he said.
“I feel like if I hadn’t have gone there I probably wouldn’t be who I am today. “I learned so much about the game, (things) I didn’t even know existed.”
Lawn bowls?! How Drinkwater debuted | 01:58
Drinkwater went to the Storm as a five-eighth/halfback — he made his NRL debut in 2018 as a seven — but somewhere along the way he morphed into a fullback.
He’s not sure whose idea it was, but as it would turn out they were onto something.
Fast forward to 2019 and the Terrigal Sharks junior was all set to be Slater’s successor at No.1… until he ruptured his pectoral in a trial.
That opened the door for a guy named Ryan Papenhuyzen to snatch up the jersey. Jahrome Hughes also spent some time there too.
“It was a rollercoaster. I felt like my whole world had come crashing down on me when I felt my pec rip. It was a very tough period,” Drinkwater recalled.
The Cowboys saw a lot of value in Drinkwater, who was forced to bid his time in Queensland Cup, so pounced on him for 2020 and beyond.
That turned into an early release in June, 2019 though because, as Drinkwater simply put it: “I was third-string fullback.”
The Terrigal Sharks junior packed up his life and headed to Townsville to join the Cowboys, where he ended up spending more time playing five-eighth than he did fullback over the next couple of seasons.
MORE NRL NEWS
RESERVES WRAP: Souths gun set for recall; exiled Bulldog ‘ecstatic’ after shock switch
‘LACKING FOOT SOLDIERS’: Players Bennett will target to rebuild Souths revealed
HOOPS: Twist in Souths’ Wayne talks as deal could be done this week
TALKING PTS: Debate over Bunnies’ Bennett bid; big Broncos question
Drinkwater’s career hit a speed hump at the start of 2022 though when he was overlooked by Payten. Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend had formed a new halves partnership, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow found a home at fullback.
Looking back on that period, Drinkwater calls it a “blessing” because he then “didn’t take another game for granted” — and began to understand that he needed to evolve as a player.
He only had to wait four weeks though before getting an opportunity to prove himself. Tabuai-Fidow picked up an injury and his three weeks on the sideline ended up being a sliding doors moment for him, Drinkwater and the Cowboys.
Drinkwater scored two tries and set up four in those three games. He did enough to convince Payten that the No.1 jersey belonged to him and so when Tabuai-Fidow — who later signed with the Dolphins — returned he did so via the bench.
“He gave me an opportunity once Hamiso got injured,” Drinkwater recalled.
“I thought I would only play a few games and he would put Hamiso back in there, but he showed a lot of faith in me to keep me on the side. “He gave me a lot of confidence.”
When asked if he feels like he owes Payten for that opportunity, Drinkwater conceded: “I do.”
He also revealed how much that can weigh on him.
“I felt like I had that on my shoulders last year,” he admitted.
“You always want to go out there and do your best for the team and in doing so repaying the club for having faith in you.
“I am fortunate that the club offered me a long deal and I was very happy to take it.”
Mam can take lead role at Broncos | 00:46
Drinkwater’s career is booming. He was 18th man for NSW in Origin III last year and although it’s been a patchy start to the season for the Cowboys, Drinkwater has had some nice moments — he leads the competition in 40/20s, is third in try assists and fourth in linebreak assists.
But those stats don’t mean much to Payten, who is quick to let Drinkwater know when he’s stuffed up.
“He always keeps you in your toes, but he is a sharp shooter,” Drinkwater said.
“He gave it to a few boys after the Penrith game, including myself for throwing too many interceptions and giving away free points.
“But I like that. I like when coaches don’t just say ‘some blokes aren’t getting their jobs done’ and they point them out.
“I feel like boys need to be pointed out, so they know they are the ones that aren’t getting their jobs done.”
