Drinkwater in full dress rehearsal to be No.1
KARDINIA Park could be the unlikely location for the biggest occasion of Scott Drinkwater’s young career on Friday night as he stakes a claim for the Storm No.1 jersey Billy Slater made legendary.
Geelong will host a strong Storm squad, including seven who played in the 2018 NRL grand final squad, against the New Zealand Warriors.
Drinkwater deputised for an absent Slater in the final round of the regular season last year, impressing in a busy debut performance, including a maiden try, and said the match at GMHBA Stadium could be career-defining.
“It all comes down to trials I believe, as good as you can train, you have to play good footy as well,” he said.
“This Friday will be a big occasion for myself.”
The 21-year-old, who is competing with close mate Jahrome Hughes for the pos- ition, said he was trying his best to be “Billy-like” with the help of the great man.
Despite their battle for the same jersey, Drinkwater said he and Hughes remained close.
“We’re both fighting for that one spot, but that doesn’t change anything — we don’t hate each other because of it,” he said.
“You’ve got to do your best in training or the games and it’s up to Craig (Bellamy) and the coaching staff to choose who they want.”
While Slater has coaching commitments at AFL club St Kilda, Drinkwater said it was great to have the former State of Origin and Kangaroos star “a phone call away” with support.
“Billy comes into training and gives me tips. He will be behind me at training listening to me and during breaks he will say, ‘You could have said this’,” he said.
“He’s always said that if I ever need any help he’s a phone call away.”
Drinkwater will be one of several players fighting for backline positions in a 29-man squad name for the trial.
The Warriors will bring an inexperienced 23-man squad, where all eyes will be on halves contenders Adam Keighran, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Hayze Perham.