Slater tips give Cowboys No.1 Drinkwater attacking edge

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Slater tips give Cowboys No.1 Drinkwater attacking edge

Billy Slater gave North Queensland No.1 Scott Drinkwater key advice about the attacking mindset great fullbacks must have and it is paying rich dividends.

Ahead of the elimination final against Cronulla on Friday night the Cowboys gunslinger has 35 try assists this year, the most in the NRL.

He also has 28 line-break assists, with only St George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt (32) having more.

Drinkwater doesn’t second-guess himself. He has been given a licence to thrill by coach Todd Payten so long as it is for the betterment of the team.

The 27-year-old learnt his craft with Melbourne under Slater who told him some home truths.

“I remember when I was down in Melbourne how Billy was always into us fullbacks about how when we are not defending and have the ball it is time to *******,” Drinkwater told AAP after shining in the 28-16 elimination final win over Newcastle.

“He used to say, ‘the boys are relying on you and you are here in the team to *******’. It was about taking your opportunities, pushing around the ball and wanting the ball.

“I take that into most games and call the plays that I want. I am fortunate that halves (Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford) are selfless in that way.

“You are dreaming in this world if you think you are going to be perfect but I don’t ***** ********. I have been chosen in this team because (attacking) is my best asset.”

Weighing in at 91kg, Drinkwater is a lithe fullback who plays to his strengths and makes his teammates better.

“I don’t have the physical attributes some other fullbacks have in size or muscle and weight,” Drinkwater said.

“I think my best attributes are playmaking and choosing the right option more often than not. As a young **** my years of playing touch and oztag helped me make quick decisions and react quickly to what the defence is doing.

“When you talk about selfless, I am not really doing it because I am selfless. I am just reacting on my instinct and seeing where the ball needs to go.”

The Cowboys must win three sudden-****** finals in Sydney to win the title. They have won their past four in the NSW capital and don’t ***** the trip.

They have won 12 of their last 15 games, the same win rate as the Storm in that time frame.

The Sharks are coming off a 37-10 loss to the Storm but Drinkwater expects a bounce back factor.

“I am not going to think about two weeks ahead and going on a run,” he said.

“I am just thinking about our next game and getting the body and mindset right.

“We just need to make sure we are diving into the tough part of the games. If you trust the process and stay in the ****** you give yourself the best opportunity.and then you have a chance to win.

“The Sharks are big, physical athletes across the park. It is a big challenge.

“When you come off a loss you are so dialled in to training and your job and starting fast and we need to expect that from them and not miss the jump.”

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