Cowboys superstar Scott Drinkwater has claimed that he turned down a proposal from the Broncos to secure his talents before the Red Hill club signed Reece Walsh.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Drinkwater’s dream run, which inspired North Queensland’s preliminary finals berth in 2022, served as the catalyst for Brisbane’s approach.
Jamayne Isaako, Tesi Niu, Te Maire Martin, and Selwyn Cobbo all played fullback for the Broncos that year.
Drinkwater indicated that Brisbane’s approach had been put on hold due to changes in the club’s management structure.
During that time, Reece Walsh was released from the Warriors and signed a three-year contract with the Broncos. Eight weeks later, Drinkwater re-signed with the Cowboys.
“It was pretty flattering that a big club like the Broncos would be an option,” Drinkwater told reporters.
“They did show some interest. At the time, they had a new CEO and there were changes at the club, so the Broncos were put on hold for a while.
“I suppose they wouldn’t be too dissatisfied with how it came out. They ended up signing Reece Walsh, and I signed a new deal with the Cowboys, which has worked out well.
“He (Walsh) can shoot the lights out, he’s a great player, so I don’t think the Broncos would be too disappointed with how it’s all played out.”
Drinkwater’s NRL career began with the Storm, however Craig Bellamy let him leave after a talent bottleneck resulted in his only appearing in first grade once in 2018.
Billy Slater, Ryan Papenhuyze, and Jahrome Hughes were all members of the Melbourne team; when Slater retired, Papenhuyzen took over full-time.
Hughes then changed to halfback, either sending Drinkwater to the bench or looking elsewhere, and the gun No.1 expressed gratitude to Bellamy for allowing him to walk.
The Cowboys are now anxious to win their second NRL title, and Drinkwater is an important part of the North Queensland machine this season.
“Drinky’s elite fitness and aerobic capacity is really impressive,” Todd Payten stated.
“His growth has resulted in him making better decisions with the ball during a game. Drinky is essential to what we do. “He has been fantastic for us.”
