"Like to stay": Drinkwater reconfirms desire to remain a Cowboy

Despite talk during the off-season that he could be on his way out, Scott Drinkwater has confirmed his desire to remain at North Queensland beyond 2027.

2025 proved to be yet another solid year for Drinkwater despite the Cowboys' struggles, having averaged 147 running metres per year and becoming the side’s designated goal kicker.

Following their 12th-place finish, reports emerged during last year that he could not be offered a new deal.

Having signed a four-year extension with the side in 2022, the fullback will be able to speak with rival clubs from November 1 this year.

But the 28-year-old admits he hopes to remain a Cowboy beyond the end of next season.  

“I would like to stay in the north,” Drinkwater told SENQ Breakfast.

“I do like it up here, and my wife has a good bunch of friends up here and close with everyone.”

However, Drinkwater will consider all his options before he confirms his plans.

“Look, it is a business. I’ll assess the situation when it comes.

“I won’t say any comments like Patty Carrigan did, that’s been blown out (of proportion).

“I mean, there’s teams coming in and stuff, which means more players need to be put into squads, which means there’s more numbers (in NRL players).

“But first and foremost, I (would) like to stay here. I know they’ve got Ethan King; they’ve signed him. Mason Barber (is) a good talent. Jaxon Purdue showed some good things at fullback.

“The club has a decision as well, but I think I need to play some good footy and the rest sorts itself out.”

One of the options that could be on the table for Drinkwater is the PNG Chiefs.

With their arrival into the NRL taking place in 2028, they’ll officially start their recruiting process from the end of the year.

And with plenty of incentives such as paying no tax on their salaries, it’s enough to at least consider, if offered.      

“It is off its head when you think about it, isn’t it?” he explained.

“Considering when you do look at your paycheck and your tax bill.

“So, look, that is a big incentive. But it all depends. I mean, if people were thinking of going there, you’d have to go there and tour what they have going on and stuff like that.

“And when you’ve got young kids as well (and) if you want to take them further north.

We’re doing it tough at the moment up here; we’ve got no support, so going further north, we’ll have even (less) support and be further away from everyone.

“But look, it is off its head, the money. You'd set yourself up for life, wouldn't you?”

The Cowboys are off to Sydney this week to take on the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

And SEN League will be calling the game live from Leichhardt Oval, with our coverage beginning from 2pm AEDT with the Bunnings Build Up.

That can be heard across SEN’s radio network and on the SEN app.