Scott Drinkwater lifts the lid on Billy Slater act that could come back to bite Melbourne Storm
Slater's advice to Drinkwater has transformed the way the fullback plays the game.
Scott Drinkwater has revealed that a piece of advice from Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has helped transform him into one of the most potent fullbacks in the NRL, a reality that could ultimately come back to bite his old club, the Storm. Ahead of the Cowboys' elimination final against Cronulla on Friday night the North Queensland No.1 has racked up a whopping 35 line-break assists this year, the most in the NRL. He also has 28 try assists, with only St George Illawarra's Ben Hunt (32) having more, in what has been another big year for the 27-year-old.
Drinkwater has a licence to roam at the Cowboys and gets his hands on the ball multiple times each set. And the North Queensland fullback says much of his attacking prowess comes down to the mindset instilled in him by Slater.
The 27-year-old spent four-and-a-half years in the Melbourne Storm system where he trained alongside and learnt from the NRL great. "I remember when I was down in Melbourne how Billy was always into us fullbacks about how when we are not defending and have the ball it is time to attack," Drinkwater told AAP after the Cowboys' 28-16 elimination final win over Newcastle.
"He used to say, 'The boys are relying on you and you are here in the team to attack'. It was about taking your opportunities, pushing around the ball and wanting the ball. I take that into most games and call the plays that I want. I am fortunate that halves (Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford) are selfless in that way.
"You are dreaming in this world if you think you are going to be perfect but I don't fear failure. I have been chosen in this team because (attacking) is my best asset."
Drinkwater is one of the smaller fullbacks, weighing in at 91kg, but he says he has learned to play to his strengths. "I don't have the physical attributes some other fullbacks have in size or muscle and weight," Drinkwater said.
"I think my best attributes are playmaking and choosing the right option more often than not. As a young kid, my years of playing touch and oztag helped me make quick decisions and react quickly to what the defence was doing. When you talk about selflessness, I am not really doing it because I am selfless. I am just reacting on my instinct and seeing where the ball needs to go."
The Cowboys must win three sudden-death finals in Sydney to win the title but there is a belief that they can do just that. They have won their past four in the NSW capital and don't fear the trip at all.
The Cowboys have also won 12 of their last 15 games, the same win rate as the Storm in that time frame, and they could be on a collision course with the Storm in the grand final where Slater's advice to Drinkwater all those years ago could come at his old club's detriment.
Cowboys anticipate Sharks to come out firing
The Sharks are coming off a 37-10 loss to the Storm, a defeat that has seen many rule them out as premiership challengers. But Drinkwater says the Cowboys are preparing for them to bounce back this weekend and will be taking their bid for grand final glory one week at a time.
"I am not going to think about two weeks ahead and going on a run," he said. "I am just thinking about our next game and getting the body and mindset right.
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"We just need to make sure we are diving into the tough part of the games. If you trust the process and stay in the fight you give yourself the best opportunity and then you have a chance to win. The Sharks are big, physical athletes across the park. It is a big challenge. When you come off a loss you are so dialled into training and your job and starting fast and we need to expect that from them and not miss the jump."
with AAP
