Drinkwater riding the highs and lows in final Cowboys charge

With their finals hopes back on track, departing Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater is hoping his side can find the consistency to do something special this year and finish on a high.

After suffering a record loss in Round 22, where the Roosters to them to the sword with an 82-12 win in front of the North Queensland faithful, they steadied the course with their 30-8 win over the Titans.

The team’s leaders stepped up when it counted after being humbled by the Roosters, with Drinkwater one of the players who proved key in the turnaround, with a try assist, a 40/20 and 177 run metres.

“We were always going to get a response out of us,’ the Dragons-bound fullback said.

“I thought we dealt with it pretty well during the week, credit to the coaches, we didn't review it, which we didn't need to, we just knew what we were poor at – the whole performance.

“So, we had the weekend off to refresh and it was a good victory (tonight).

“When we get it right, we're a good team.

“Over time, consistency's probably been our issue where I'd hate to be tipping for us because you don't know what we're going to toss up sometimes, honestly.

“But when we get it right, we're good.

“Overall this year we've been relatively (playing) pretty well.

“Not going to let the last week (against the Roosters) define anything about us. A one off.

“We get blokes turning up and willing to work hard for one another and enjoying to work hard for one another, that's when we're going well, so that's the blueprint.”

With the Roosters ironically doing the club a favour by sneaking past the Bulldogs in their game, the Cowboys remain in the eight and hold their fate in their hands.

Having been part of the finals push for the 2022 and 2024 teams, Drinkwater said while there was a different feeling and different strengths, he believed this current team could make an impact.

“We're different from both teams; 2022, we were relentless with our effort, our energy, we had different players,” Drinkwater said.

“We were probably a bit underestimated too after the two previous seasons too and maybe taken a bit lightly.

“We had a lot of energy and were just real fit and our defence won us those games.

“(In) ’24, I guess we had probably some outside backs, a few veterans in Feldty (Kyle Feldt) and Val (Holmes), so then again as well, so we're just a different team now.

“We’ve got young kids out there and we're different.

“We just need to get it right defensively.

“We need to just work hard for one another.

“We've always got points in us. It's never really been an issue for us.

“(If) we hold onto the ball and have possession, (we are a) different team, but I'm hoping that we take the effort and good defence out of the ‘22 team.”

The Cowboys are next in action on Saturday for their Round 24 game against the Eels.