North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater has started 2003 where he left off last year to give the Cowboys an early boost in their quest to challenge for the NRL title.
The 25-year-old's sublime skills were on show in his team's 20-18 NRL Pre-Season Challenge loss to Brisbane on Saturday.
He triple-pumped to set up Kyle Feldt for a try, grubbered with precision to provide Jeremiah Nanai with a four-pointer and came up with an assortment of skilful short drop-outs, one where he dribbled the ball the mandatory 10m before scooping it up.
The Cowboys' defensive work, particularly off kicks, needs work and they suffered a blow when utility Ben Hampton ruptured his hip flexor.
Drinkwater's display was the highlight and moved centre Valentine Holmes to declare: "He's got it all, Drinky."
Coach Todd Payten said: "He is always involved in all our good stuff"
Last year Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, now with the Dolphins, started the season in the No.1 jersey with Drinkwater on the fringes of the 17.
When Tabuai-Fidow got injured Payten took Drinkwater for a coffee, looked him in the eye and asked if he wanted to start at fullback after he had previously had designs on playing five-eighth.
Drinkwater answered convincingly in the affirmative. The rest is history with the former Australian Schoolboy having his best season at fullback to lift the Cowboys into the top four and signing a four-year contract extension until the end of 2027.
"I think he is really confident in his own ability after the last twelve months," Payten said.
"He's shown a lot of maturity in this off-season just gone. He's making smarting decisions with the ball and without the ball.
"He is getting our numbers sorted at the back really well and you've seen how quickly he thinks on his feet... the short grubber close to the tryline...a really smart play."
Payten said it was a real bonus to have Drinkwater hit the ground running as the Cowboys aim to improve on their preliminary final appearance last season.
"He is very important for us. What he has around him also helps him play well too," Payten said.
"They complement each other which is what I like."
Payten was referring to the organisational skills of half Chad Townsend, smart running game of No.6 Tom Dearden and tough as teak rake Reece Robson, the trio perfect foils for Drinkwater's verve, vision and instinctive style.
Payten said the seriousness of Hampton's injury was yet to be determined.
"He has ruptured his hip flexor so hearing the word rupture is not always good," Payten said.
"In saying that Jase (Jason Taumalolo) has done something similar and didn't miss a game so we will just wait and see how he pulls up. He will get a scan and fingers crossed that he is OK."
