Andrew Johns has applauded the Dragons with the club reportedly set to snare Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater’s signature.
It has been widely reported the Dragons have been chasing the star No. 1 and reports emerged Wednesday claim St George Illawarra is set to pull off its recruitment raid.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler revealed on X, a three-year deal worth $900,000 per season is “all but done”.
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It is a huge result the Dragons have been desperate to secure after coach Shane Flanagan was sacked on Monday following the club’s 11th consecutive loss.
Drinkwater is still contracted through to the end of 2027, but will reportedly be given permission to leave early as the club turns towards young gun Jaxon Purdue to be the club’s next fullback.
The Dragons, meanwhile, have secured a big piece of the club’s future.
Johns believes Drinkwater is a steal at $900k per season.
“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 need desperately 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.
“So 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.”
The Dragons have not yet announced what the rest of the club will look like next year with Dean Young appointed interim coach through to the end of the 2026 season.
Drinkwater’s arrival is set to push veteran fullback Clint Gutherson to the centres in the final year of his three-year deal in 2027.
“I 100 per cent welcome it, I’ve sent him a few messages trying to get it across (the line),” Gutherson said of the club’s Drinkwater pursuit on Wednesday.
“As I said I don’t care (what position I play), I just want to play and I want to win.”
With Gutherson and Drinkwater locked in, it appears the Dragons no longer have interest in Dolphins rising star Trai Fuller.
The Dragons reportedly expressed desire in recruiting Fuller as an immediate replacement to Gutherson, but the livewire is now expected to sign an extension with the Dolphins.
