Scott Drinkwater’s future has been one of much speculation, but the mercurial fullback issued Cowboys hierarchy a reminder of just how lethal he could be, as he and Jaxon Purdue proved they could fit into the same side in the most thrilling of fashions.
While the North Queensland No.1’s defence and vulnerabilities under the high ball have been exposed at times, there were no such concerns at Suncorp Stadium, with his speed, playmaking brilliance, and clutch field goal inspiring a 35-31 triumph of the Brisbane Broncos.
Despite being signed until the end of 2027, Drinkwater has been linked with an early release to the St George-Illawarra Dragons for next year.
But his exploits with the ball had a wounded Broncos bereft of answers – particularly in a 10-minute period in the first-half when skipper Pat Carrigan had been sin-binned for a forceful high shot on Tom Chester.
Shortly after Carrigan was given his marching orders, Drinkwater turned a kick return on his own tryline into attack, venturing cross field to find a hole and unleash Purdue for a length-of-field try. His pinpoint cutout pass for Zac Laybutt on the next set gave North Queensland the lead before Carrigan returned to the field.
Even against 13 men, Drinkwater was heavily involved – backing up a solo try from hooker Soni Luke to score himself supporting on the inside when Heilum Luki broke through a pair of tackles.
When Broncos halfback Tom Duffy’s field goal clinched a late lead, Drinkwater responded to the one-pointer to level the scores again, before holding fire on a second attempt to instead shift wide for Luki to score the match-winner.
Much of the conjecture surrounding Drinkwater’s future has involved where to fit Purdue into the team, who has largely been used in the centres in the NRL despite coming through the ranks as a fullback and in the halves.
The 20-year-old inked a four-year contract extension to remain in Townsville, and showed how much of a weapon he was with time, space and possession – finishing with 223 running metres as he and fellow centre Tom Chester (a try, six tackle busts, 257 running metres) threatened with touch.
But the way Drinkwater ignited the attack from the back – running for 187 metres while setting up three line breaks – and actively sought out Purdue to create opportunities for the rookie phenom, suggested the dynamic duo could – and perhaps, should – co-exist in the north.
Time for Mam to take a stand as rookie stands tall
On his Broncos’ debut, Duffy unveiled himself as a genuine contender to one day succeed the retiring Adam Reynolds. But with roughly $2.5 million worth of spine talent sidelined through injuries, the time has come for Mam to take greater responsibility for this side.
While Jesse Arthars was strong from fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh (fractured cheekbone) – scoring a try and running for 179 metres – and Duffy showed brilliant signs without Reynolds (groin) and Ben Hunt (knee), this was Mam’s chance to take the game by the scruff of the next.
Aside from one brilliant cutout pass for Josiah Karapani to score, he rarely looked threatening, while Duffy – playing just his seventh NRL game – took over the kicking duties, finishing with 694 kicking metres. Mam kicked the ball just three times for 43 metres.
Duffy stood tall all night – setting up the opening try of the night with a deft grubber for Kotoni Staggs, while firing a brilliant sharp pass for Ben Talty to cross in the second term. The 20-year-old also lay on Mam’s try when he unleashed Karapani, whose infield kick was gathered by the five-eighth.
The former Cowboy, axed just two games into his time as North Queensland’s starting halfback, finished with two try assists and three line break assists to go with his field goal and five conversions.
But without Reynolds and Hunt, as well as the attacking wizardry of Walsh, Mam needed to take control, and that task will get harder next week against the Tigers.
Hookers Cory Paix and Blake Mozer failing to finish the contest. Paix will be a confirmed out after suffering a category one concussion, while Mozer left the field bleeding from his mouth after collecting Jason Taumalolo’s shoulder.
Taumalolo winding back the clock
He may not be the one-man wrecking crew he once was, one capable of punching out 60-minute stints with as much vigor in his first carry as his last, but Taumalolo is turning back the clock to an extent in 2026.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has held back the Tongan powerhouse’s minutes this season in a bid to preserve a body which has been battered and bruised over the years – a degenerative knee issue the chief concern – and the ploy is paying off.
It was Taumalolo’s dominance in his first stint which lay the platform for North Queensland to strike, carrying defenders with him every carry and giving his backline plenty of time and space to search for chances against a retreating defence.
While he was off the field in the second half, that is when the Broncos looked as though they would take the lead and maintain it. But the barnstorming prop hard other ideas, and his presence – charging for 226 metres from 17 carries – allowed his halves pairing of Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford to click into gear.
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