Fired up for run at home
SCOTT Drinkwater’s confidence was high after the early rounds of the NRL season.
The Cowboys five-eighth was developing his on-field rapport with halves partner Michael Morgan and the team had momentum.
Coronavirus disrupted that charge. But the pivot is confident they can pick up where they left off when competition starts on May 28.
The rejigged 20-round season will not include bye weeks, meaning each player will be subject to 18 consecutive rounds without break.
But Drinkwater said players would be up for the task.
“It was a bit frustrating we had to stop playing, it felt like I was coming off a good preseason – confidence was through the roof,” he said.
“It’s going to be a big grind and put a lot of onus on the players to do their full recovery – 18 games straight will take a toll on the body.”
Prior to clearance being received for teams outside of New South Wales to remain at home, the option for a complete competition relocation to Sydney was floated.
Now that option is off the table, Drinkwater said it would be a massive boost to sides such as his Cowboys.
While crowds will still be barred from attending games, the club’s new Queensland Country Bank Stadium home ground would be usable.
Their one game there may not have got the desired result – a 28-21 loss to the Broncos – but Drinkwater said it was a big plus to be able to play at home.
“It’s a massive bonus, especially with our older players with families. It could affect their mood a bit, not seeing the little ones,” he said. “A lot of boys are tight with their families, very handy for us to stay up here.
“No one wants to lose their home ground. We’re the same and we’ll be trying to make that a fortress.”
While flu jabs have become hot topic around the NRL this week, following Titans forward Bryce Cartwright’s public refusal to get one, Drinkwater said it was a simple decision for himself.
“People have their own thoughts about it,” he said. “For me it hasn’t bothered me getting a flu shot. I’ve had plenty of them, my team has got them done.
“Those boys holding off on it, that’s their own belief. I’m not going to judge them … it’s their body.
“It’s good for them as a person to stand by what they believe in.”