Scott Drinkwater’s future has been the subject of much speculation, but the mercurial quarterback gave Cowboys leadership a reminder of just how bad he can be, as he and Jaxon Purdue proved they can match up on the same side in the most exciting of fashions.
While North Queensland’s defenses and frailties under the ball have been exposed, there were no such concerns at Suncorp Stadium, with his speed, finesse and outside goal inspiring a 35-31 victory for the Brisbane Broncos.
Despite being signed until the end of 2027, Drinkwater has been linked with an early release from the St George-Illawarra Dragons next year.
But his bowling left the injured Broncos without a response – particularly in the 10-minute period in the first half when skipper Pat Carrigan was bundled over by Tom Chester’s high shot.
Shortly after Carrigan was given his marching orders, Drinkwater turned his punt return into a punt, scrambling to find a hole and free Purdue for a field goal. His pinpoint pass to Zac Laybutt in the next set gave North Queensland the lead before Carrigan returned to court.
Even against 13 men, Drinkwater was heavily involved – backing up a solo try from keeper Soni Luke and scoring himself inside when Heilum Luki broke a pair of tackles.
When Broncos fullback Tom Duffy went ahead with a late goal, Drinkwater responded with a point to level the score again, before lighting the fire at the second try and instead moving out to Luki to score the winner.
Much of the speculation surrounding Drinkwater’s future has revolved around Purdue’s place in the team, who has largely been used in NRL centers despite coming into the ranks as a full-back and half-back.
The 20-year-old sealed a four-year contract extension to stay in Townsville, and showed just how much of a weapon he was in time, space and possession – finishing with a 223m run as he and centre-half Tom Chester (try, six tackles, 257m) threatened to touch down.
But the way Drinkwater ignited the attack from behind — rushing for 187 yards while setting up three line breaks — and actively sought out Purdue to create opportunities for the rookie event, suggested the power duo could — and perhaps, should — exist in the north.
Time for Mam to take a stand as a rookie stands tall
In his Broncos debut, Duffy revealed himself as a real contender to one day succeed the retiring Adam Reynolds. But with about $2.5 million in talent sidelined due to injuries, the time has come for Mam to take a bigger role on this side.
While Jesse Arthars was strong from full-back without Reece Walsh (broken cheekbone) – scoring a try and running for 179 meters – and Duffy showed good signs without Reynolds (groin) and Ben Hunt (knee), this was Mam’s chance to take the game in a hurry next time.
Apart from one neat pass to Josiah Karapani to score, he rarely looked threatening, as Duffy – playing his seventh NRL game – took over the kicking duties, finishing with 694 metres. Mam kicked just three times for 43 metres.
Duffy stood tall all night – setting up the first try of the night by teeing up Kotoni Staggs, while he flicked a powerful pass to Ben Talty to cross in the second term. The 20-year-old was also testing Mam when he released Karapani, whose inside shot was collected in the fifth minute of the eighth.
The former Cowboy, who played just two games into his time at fullback for North Queensland, finished with two tries and three half-time assists and kicked five field goals.
But without Reynolds and Hunt, along with Walsh’s attacking wizardry, Mam needed to take control, and that task will be even more difficult next week against the Tigers.
Hookers Cory Paix and Blake Mozer fail to finish the contest. Paix will be ruled out after suffering a type one concussion, while Mozer left the field bleeding from the mouth after shouldering Jason Taumalolo.
Taumalolo turning back the clock
He may not be the wrecking ball he once was, capable of punching 60 minutes with as much power in his first as his last carry, but Taumalolo is turning back the clock in a big way in 2026.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has limited the Tongan side’s minutes this season in an effort to preserve a body that has been battered for years – a nagging knee problem that plagues the seniors – and the ploy is paying off.
It was Taumalolo’s dominance in his debut that set the stage for North Queensland to strike, carrying defenders on every carry and giving his back line plenty of time and space to find space against a retreating defence.
With him off the field in the second half, the Broncos looked like they would take the lead and keep it. But the barn proposal had other complicated ideas, and his presence – charging 226 meters from 17 cars – allowed his halves pairing of Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford to click into gear.
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