'Chip on the shoulder': The conversation behind Drinkwater's form surge
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Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has opened up on the tough conversation with coach Todd Payten that triggered a stunning form surge.
Drinkwater suffered a rib cartilage injury in North Queensland's loss to Newcastle in Las Vegas and struggled while attempting to play through the pain in Round 2.
Scott Drinkwater Try
Speculation mounted following the defeat to the Tigers that the fullback would be dropped and he turned up to training the next week expecting Payten to confirm the news.
The coach offered Drinkwater the chance to have a rest but the 28-year-old was not willing to give up his jersey that easily.
"I was going into games with the wrong headspace and just playing with shape instead of getting the ball in my hands," Drinkwater said. "We played the Titans on a Sunday, so going into the main session on Thursday I was thinking I was going to get dropped after training.
"Everyone was telling me stuff but [Payten] asked me if I needed a rest. My answer was 'no, no way'. From then I was dialled in and I had a chip on my shoulder."
Drinkwater took the speculation to heart and hasn't looked back, starring as the Cowboys claimed three wins on the trot.
In victories over the Titans, Storm and Dragons, the fullback has scored two tries, with four try assists and two line breaks.
Scott Drinkwater Try
Drinkwater is determined to keep the momentum rolling on Friday night when the Cowboys travel south to face fierce rivals Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
Payten has been thrilled with the response from his fullback and said he will continue to play a key role in the team's success.
"We did speak about [giving him a rest] but after that first conversation we moved forward and wanted to back him in," Payten said. "It's always challenging with the rib cartilage injury he had because training's inhibited and then it needs some assistance to play through the game.
"Last week was the first week he's been able to do full contact in the main squad, other than that he's been wearing a [non-contact] bib. Passing, kicking, getting squeezed, rolling over in bed and coughing are uncomfortable so it's not easy to play through."
The Cowboys have lost their last six games against the Broncos but they look to be getting them at the perfect time this week.
Match: Broncos v Cowboys
Round 6 -
home Team
Broncos
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Reece Walsh, Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds all picked up injuries in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast, forcing coach Michael Maguire to navigate a bulging casualty ward leading into Friday's game.
Drinkwater's own form surge comes after he put his rib injury in the rearview mirror and changed his approach to attacking with ball in hand.
"I'm focusing on the simple parts of my game, running the ball and getting involved that way," Drinkwater said. "Then also focusing on the defensive side, setting the numbers and being in the picture where I can.
"I got a bit fixated on ballplaying at the start of the year but how fast the game is these days, the shapes and set plays aren't the things that are working these days. It's just playing football, getting the ball, short passes so I changed it up there."
