The Dragons have reportedly won the battle for Scott Drinkwater‘s signature, with reports suggesting a deal between the NRL club and the Cowboys superstar is “all but done”. Nine News reporter Danny Weidler revealed on Thursday that while Dragons officials are yet to confirm the news, it’s understood the North Queensland fullback has agreed to a deal worth around $900,000 per season.
It would represent a massive coup for the struggling joint-venture club, who are winless this season and parted ways with coach Shane Flanagan earlier this week. Dragons legend and former assistant Dean Young has been named interim coach for the remainder of the season, but the turmoil at the club does not appear to have scared Drinkwater off from making the switch in 2027.
Andrew Johns (R) will be welcoming reports the Dragons have agreed to sign Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater (far left) for 2027 after urging the Red V to get a deal done. Pic: Getty
The Cowboys fullback reportedly knocked back the Dragons’ initial contract offer last week, having been given permission by North Queensland to explore his options beyond this season. It prompted Andrew Johns to urge the Red V to do whatever it took to land Drinkwater, with the league Immortal insisting even a $1 million a season deal for the star fullback would be a great piece of business.
“If the Dragons get him for a million dollars a year for three years, that’s a bargain,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour. “They desperately need some creativity and he can do that from fullback. He’s coming into that sweet spot, the next four years he’s gonna be at his best.
“St George-Illawarra fans, if you get Drinkwater it’s a real plus. He looks like a bloke that just gets out there and plays. But as long as it’s not played out in the media by these managers, if you’re gonna go just sign it, get it done.”
Clint Gutherson ‘welcomes’ move for Scott Drinkwater
Fullback has been a well documented problem area for the Red V, with veteran No.1 Clint Gutherson struggling at times over the last year with the speed of the modern game. While stand-in fullback Tyrell Sloan has failed to convince the club that he is the long-term solution.
With Gutherson currently sidelined, Sloan has again been named at fullback for the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster against the Roosters on Saturday. But it’s unclear what Drinkwater’s expected arrival in 2027 means for both of their futures, despite Gutherson playing an active role in trying to recruit the Cowboys ace for next year.
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has reportedly agreed to join the Dragons in 2027 on a deal said to be worth $900,000 a season. Pic: Getty
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“I 100 per cent welcome it, I’ve sent him a few messages trying to get it across (the line),” Gutherson said about the Dragons’ pursuit of Drinkwater on Wednesday. “As I said I don’t care (what position I play), I just want to play and I want to win.”
The reported deal for Drinkwater would mark the second marquee signing for the Dragons in 2027, with rep forward Keaon Koloamatangi set to join from Souths on a five-year, $5 million deal. That’s despite the fact the Red V are still some way off appointing a new head coach for next season, with Young and Dragons premiership-winning former teammate Ben Hornby among the early favourites to get the job.