If you follow NRL fullbacks, the name Scott Drinkwater has been bouncing around contract rumours and club moves for months; his next deal tells you how clubs value electric, ball-playing backs. Here’s what is actually known about his salary, move to St. George Illawarra, and the bits that remain off the record.
Full Name: Scott Drinkwater ·
Born: 15 May 1997 ·
Position: Fullback ·
Current Team: North Queensland Cowboys ·
Salary (new contract): reported $900,000 per season ·
Contract Length: reported 3 years
Quick snapshot
- Plays fullback for North Queensland Cowboys (Zero Tackle (NRL player database))
- Born 15 May 1997 in Sydney, Australia (Zero Tackle)
- Signed a 3-year deal with Dragons for 2026 onward, reportedly $900k–$950k per season (Zero Tackle contract table)
- Whether the Dragons deal is fully official or still a reported projection (Zero Tackle)
- Marital status and children (no public records) (Zero Tackle)
- Injury status for current season (Zero Tackle)
- Melbourne Storm: 2018–2019 (Zero Tackle)
- North Queensland Cowboys: 2020–2025 (Zero Tackle)
- St. George Illawarra Dragons: 2026 onward (Zero Tackle)
- Deal reported to run through 2028–2029 (Zero Tackle multi-year projection)
- Dragons debut expected in 2026 NRL season (Zero Tackle multi-year projection)
Scott Drinkwater is trading a mid-tier Cowboys salary for a near-top-tier fullback wage at the Dragons. For a player who turned 27 in 2024, this contract locks in his prime earning years—but the real test will be whether the Dragons get a consistent playmaker or an injury-prone back.
The table below summarises the key details of Drinkwater’s background and reported contract.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Scott Drinkwater |
| Born | 15 May 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, Australia |
| Position | Fullback |
| Current Team | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Future Team | St. George Illawarra Dragons (2026) |
| Salary (new contract) | reported $900,000 per season |
| Contract Length | reported 3 years |
What is Scott Drinkwater’s salary?
According to the Zero Tackle contract table, Scott Drinkwater is listed on a $750,000 per season deal with the North Queensland Cowboys for the 2026 season. The same profile shows a projected $950,000 per season figure attributed to the St. George Illawarra Dragons across multiple future seasons. The implication: the Dragons offer represents a significant pay bump—roughly 27% above his Cowboys salary.
How much does Scott Drinkwater earn per year?
- Current Cowboys salary: $750,000 per year (Zero Tackle (player contract data))
- Reported Dragons offer: approximately $900,000–$950,000 per year
The difference places Drinkwater in the upper half of NRL fullback salaries—above the league average for the position but below the million-dollar superstars. For a player with his experience (seven NRL seasons), the raise signals the Dragons are betting on him as a long-term number one.
The pattern suggests Drinkwater is moving into the upper tier of fullback pay, though the figures remain projections until officially announced.
Where is Scott Drinkwater going?
He is heading to the St. George Illawarra Dragons, with the contract expected to begin in the 2026 NRL season. Zero Tackle’s profile currently lists him as a North Queensland Cowboys player, but the salary table already shows Dragons entries for multiple years starting 2026. The catch: these entries appear to be reported projections rather than official announcements, meaning the move is highly likely but not yet rubber-stamped by the club.
Which NRL team is Scott Drinkwater joining?
- Destination: St. George Illawarra Dragons
- Current club: North Queensland Cowboys (until end of 2025 season)
- Source: Zero Tackle contract table entries showing Dragons salary figures for 2026 onward (Zero Tackle)
When will he leave the North Queensland Cowboys?
His Cowboys deal appears to run through the 2025 NRL season, after which he transfers. The specific exit date is not publicly stated, but the pattern suggests a clean move at the start of the 2026 calendar year.
Until the Dragons issue an official signing press release, the exact start date and salary remain technically unconfirmed. Fans should treat the Zero Tackle data as a strong signal rather than a verified fact.
The timing of the move hinges on the Cowboys’ 2025 season, making the transition a likely off-season shift.
Are Josh and Scott Drinkwater related?
No. Josh Drinkwater is a different rugby league player (a halfback who has played for the Wests Tigers, St. George Illawarra, and Super League clubs). There is no known familial relationship between the two.
Who is Josh Drinkwater?
Josh Drinkwater is a professional rugby league footballer, born in 1992, who primarily plays as a halfback. He has represented Wales internationally via heritage. His career path is distinct from Scott’s, and no credible source links them as brothers or cousins.
Are they brothers?
No evidence exists to suggest a sibling relationship. The surname Drinkwater is not uncommon in rugby league circles, but the two players are not related.
Where is Scott Drinkwater from?
He was born in Sydney, Australia on 15 May 1997. He is eligible to represent Australia and New South Wales at representative level. His junior career began in the Sydney region before he joined the Melbourne Storm system.
What position does Scott Drinkwater play?
He plays as a fullback, a position that in the modern NRL requires strong ball-playing ability, support play, and kick-return skills. Zero Tackle lists his primary position as fullback (Zero Tackle).
Did Scott Drinkwater play for the Melbourne Storm?
Yes. He was with the Melbourne Storm from 2018 to 2019, making his NRL debut during that period. He then moved to the North Queensland Cowboys in 2020 where he established himself as a starting fullback.
What is Drinkwater doing now?
He is currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys in the 2025 NRL season. Off the field, he is understood to be preparing for his move to the Dragons in 2026. No official injury updates are available, though he has not been reported as sidelined in recent weeks.
What is his current team?
North Queensland Cowboys. He has been a Cowboy since 2020 and remains on their roster.
What are his future plans?
To join the St. George Illawarra Dragons from the 2026 season onward, on a multi-year contract reportedly worth up to $950,000 per season.
Moving from the Cowboys to the Dragons means swapping a team that has been rebuilding around him for a club that needs an immediate playmaker. The salary jump comes with higher expectations—and less room for error in defence.
The move places pressure on Drinkwater to deliver consistency, especially after a season spent recovering from injury.
Timeline
- 2018–2019: Melbourne Storm (Zero Tackle)
- 2020–2025: North Queensland Cowboys (Zero Tackle)
- 25 April 2026: St. George Illawarra Dragons announce 3-year signing (reported)
- 2026 season: Expected to debut for Dragons
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born 15 May 1997 in Sydney (Zero Tackle)
- Plays fullback (Zero Tackle)
- Played for Melbourne Storm (2018–2019) (Zero Tackle)
- Played for North Queensland Cowboys (2020–2025) (Zero Tackle)
- Not related to Josh Drinkwater (Zero Tackle)
What’s unclear
- Salary of $900,000 per season (projected, not officially confirmed)
- 3-year contract with Dragons (reported, not yet official)
- Whether he has children
- Marital status / wife details
- Current injury status
- Names of parents
Quotes
“The initial offer from the Dragons was rejected, it’s a negotiation.”
— Agent Gavin Orr, as reported on r/nrl (community discussion)
The above quote is sourced from a Reddit post and should be treated as speculative. No official club statement has been released at the time of writing.
Summary
For the St. George Illawarra Dragons, signing Scott Drinkwater on a reported $900,000–$950,000 per season deal is a calculated bet on a fullback who has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to deliver consistent top-tier performances over a full season. For North Queensland, losing him means finding a new number one in 2026. For the NRL fan, the takeaway is clear: Drinkwater’s contract signals that clubs are willing to pay a premium for ball-playing fullbacks, even when the statistical returns aren’t yet elite. The Dragons will expect that investment to translate to points, or the salary cap pressure becomes a real problem.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Scott Drinkwater’s agent?
His agent is reportedly Gavin Orr, who has been involved in the Dragons contract negotiations.
What is Scott Drinkwater’s jersey number?
At the Cowboys, he typically wears the number 1 jersey (fullback). His Dragons number has not been announced.
How old is Scott Drinkwater?
He was born on 15 May 1997, making him 27 years old as of the 2024 NRL season.
Is Scott Drinkwater injured?
There are no current public reports of a significant injury. He has not been listed on official injury lists in recent weeks.
Does Scott Drinkwater have any siblings?
No public information about siblings is available. He is not related to Josh Drinkwater.
What is Scott Drinkwater’s height and weight?
Zero Tackle lists his height as 181 cm and weight as 91 kg.
When did Scott Drinkwater make his NRL debut?
He made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm during the 2018 season.
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Kevin Bennett covers business, markets and economic policy for Oz Reviewly.