Scott Drinkwater Salary, Contract, and Future: What to Know

A fullback who started at Melbourne, settled at North Queensland, and is now heading to St George Illawarra—Scott Drinkwater’s NRL journey has its own rhythm, with a three-year contract worth around $900,000 per season kicking in from 2027. Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s still open, and why his brother Josh is part of the story.

Current team: North Queensland Cowboys · Future team: St George Illawarra Dragons (from 2027) · Contract value: $900,000 per season · Position: Fullback · Born: 15 May 1997 · NRL debut: 2018 for Melbourne Storm

Seven key facts, one pattern: Drinkwater’s career has been defined by forward-looking moves that place him in premium fullback conversations.

What is Scott Drinkwater’s salary?

The St George Illawarra Dragons announced on 25 April 2026 that they had secured Drinkwater on a three-year contract beginning in 2027 (Dragons official announcement). The club did not disclose financial terms, but media reports consistently peg the deal at around $900,000 per season (Zero Tackle).

How much will Scott Drinkwater earn per season with the Dragons?

The $900,000 figure aligns with Drinkwater’s stature as a starting fullback in the NRL. For comparison, his previous salary at the Cowboys was reported at $750,000 per season (Zero Tackle player profile). The raise reflects his consistent performances since moving to North Queensland in 2020.

What is the length of his contract?

The Dragons deal is for three seasons, covering 2027 through 2029 (Dragons official announcement). This gives Drinkwater long-term security while the Dragons lock in a key backline piece for the back half of the decade.

The implication: Drinkwater’s salary reflects the Dragons’ commitment to securing a premier fullback.

Where is Scott Drinkwater going?

Drinkwater will leave the North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the 2026 NRL season and join the St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2027 season (Dragons official announcement). The move brings an end to a six-year stint with the Cowboys.

When will he leave the Cowboys?

His current Cowboys contract, signed after his move from Melbourne in 2020, runs until the end of 2026. The Dragons have confirmed that he will be a Cowboys player until that point and will then transfer to the Dragons for the 2027 preseason (NRL.com).

Why did he choose the Dragons?

The Dragons reportedly pursued Drinkwater after missing out on other targets in the fullback market (Sporting News Australia). For Drinkwater, the move offers a longer-term commitment and a chance to be the central figure in a rebuilding side.

“The Dragons have made a big play to secure Cowboy Scott Drinkwater’s signature.”

— 7NEWS Mackay on Facebook

The pattern: Drinkwater’s move to the Dragons signals a rebuilding phase for both player and club.

Are Josh and Scott Drinkwater related?

Yes, Josh Drinkwater is Scott Drinkwater’s older brother—also a professional rugby league player (Sporting News Australia). They are not twins; Josh was born in 1992 and Scott in 1997, a five-year age gap that means their playing careers have largely overlapped at different levels.

Are they brothers?

Yes. Both grew up in country New South Wales and played junior rugby league before taking different paths to the NRL. Josh has played for several clubs including the Wests Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Zero Tackle).

Are they identical twins?

No. The age difference rules out twinship, and the two do not share the same physical build or playing positions. Scott is a fullback; Josh has primarily played as a halfback or utility back.

The catch: Despite the family connection, the brothers have never shared an NRL field.

Is Scott Drinkwater injured?

Scott Drinkwater suffered a pectoral injury in 2019 while playing for the Melbourne Storm (Sporting News Australia). The injury required surgery and sidelined him for several months, effectively ending his chances of breaking into the Storm’s regular lineup.

What injury did he suffer?

The pectoral muscle tear occurred during a training session in the 2019 preseason. Drinkwater was ruled out for the majority of the season, appearing in only a handful of NRL games that year (Zero Tackle).

When did he return to play?

He returned to full training late in 2019 and was traded to the Cowboys ahead of the 2020 season. Since joining North Queensland, Drinkwater has largely avoided major injuries, playing in at least 20 games per season from 2021 onward.

What this means: Drinkwater’s injury history is minimal, but the Dragons will monitor his workload.

What position does Scott Drinkwater play?

Scott Drinkwater is primarily a fullback but has also played five-eighth and halfback during his NRL career (North Queensland Cowboys official site). His versatility has been a selling point for the Dragons, who value his ability to cover multiple backline roles.

Is he primarily a fullback?

Yes. The vast majority of his 100-plus NRL appearances have come at fullback, where his speed, ball-playing, and kick-return ability are most effective. He has started at fullback in every match for the Cowboys since 2021 (Zero Tackle).

Can he play other positions?

During his early years at Melbourne, he was used as a five-eighth in the lower grades and filled in at halfback for the Storm in a handful of NRL matches. The Dragons’ recruitment team has noted his positional flexibility as a bonus, though the plan is to use him exclusively at fullback.

The upshot: Drinkwater’s versatility is a bonus, but his primary role as fullback defines his value.

“The Dragons are pleased to announce the signing of Scott Drinkwater on a three-year deal commencing in the 2027 season.”

— St George Illawarra Dragons press release

The Dragons’ announcement was the only direct club statement on the signing. Other reports confirmed the timeline without adding major detail. For a player whose price tag has attracted attention, the official word remains deliberately light on financial specifics.

För en djupare analys av hans ekonomi och karriär kan du läsa mer om Drinkwaters kontrakt.

Frequently asked questions

For the North Queensland Cowboys, replacing Drinkwater’s consistency at fullback will be a challenge. For the Dragons, the signing represents a statement of intent: secure a proven NRL fullback in his prime. The trade-off for Drinkwater is clear—leave a settled home for a rebuild, but at a salary that reflects his value.