Josh Drinkwater

[phil1986]

He never had any wraps on him as a junior. Saints signed him and their fans talked him up as a gun without even seeing him. Nswrl standard, nothing more.

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Fergie what makes you say he had no wraps on him???

3 clubs chased him as a junior, most try assists in the NYC even being ranked in the lowest team In the comp(manly). I think he had some wraps mate.
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Daily tele 2012.
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A COMMON occupational hazard for a rookie halfback is barking orders at older and harder heads.

But when Josh Drinkwater gets his first taste of the top grade in February's trials, St George Illawarra's new playmaker predicts he'll be anything but tongue-tied.

The 20-year-old arrived in Wollongong from back-to-back seasons captaining Manly's NYC side - a leadership role he's always relished.

"I've always tried to step-up and be a leader of the team," Drinkwater said.

"Being the halfback makes you become a leader, and you have to talk and organise.

"If couldn't do it, I probably wouldn't be a halfback.

"I don't think there will be any dramas."

From being stranded behind stellar pairing Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans at Brookvale, the unknown Terrigal junior is now at prohibitive odds to make his NRL debut in 2013.
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Until he sustained another devastating knee injury last month, Kyle Stanley was being groomed to succeed the halfback role from retired skipper Ben Hornby.

And although veteran utility Nathan Fien will now get first shot at partnering Jamie Soward, Drinkwater is suddenly the club's most accomplished specialist No.7.

Drinkwater nominated his direct running game as a strength, with club dieticians devising a special diet to bulk him up to 85kg in anticipation of the rigours of first grade.

"It wasn't too hard to leave Manly because I had Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans in front of me," he said.

"There's a bit more of an opportunity here on a two-year deal with a club that's got a few other young guys coming through.
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Kyle (Stanley) probably would've got first shot at halfback, but there's still Jamie Soward and Nathan Fien.

"They've both played rep footy and I'm really happy to be learning from those boys.

"Hopefully I'll get a test run in the trials and try to take any chance with both hands."

Drinkwater turned down interest from the Roosters and Canberra to join Manly in 2009.

He was then caught in a unique selection stir the following season, when officials and families wrote formal letters of protest about his omission from the Australian Schoolboys team.

"That was a big goal of mine and it was really disappointing to miss out," he said. "But I've just had to move on."

He did just that in 2012, with most try assists in the NYC despite Manly's poor standing.

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[phil1986]

He never had any wraps on him as a junior. Saints signed him and their fans talked him up as a gun without even seeing him. Nswrl standard, nothing more.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.1.5_

Fergie what makes you say he had no wraps on him???

3 clubs chased him as a junior, most try assists in the NYC even being ranked in the lowest team In the comp(manly). I think he had some wraps mate.
\
\
Daily tele 2012.
\
\
A COMMON occupational hazard for a rookie halfback is barking orders at older and harder heads.

But when Josh Drinkwater gets his first taste of the top grade in February's trials, St George Illawarra's new playmaker predicts he'll be anything but tongue-tied.

The 20-year-old arrived in Wollongong from back-to-back seasons captaining Manly's NYC side - a leadership role he's always relished.

"I've always tried to step-up and be a leader of the team," Drinkwater said.

"Being the halfback makes you become a leader, and you have to talk and organise.

"If couldn't do it, I probably wouldn't be a halfback.

"I don't think there will be any dramas."

From being stranded behind stellar pairing Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans at Brookvale, the unknown Terrigal junior is now at prohibitive odds to make his NRL debut in 2013.
\
\
Until he sustained another devastating knee injury last month, Kyle Stanley was being groomed to succeed the halfback role from retired skipper Ben Hornby.

And although veteran utility Nathan Fien will now get first shot at partnering Jamie Soward, Drinkwater is suddenly the club's most accomplished specialist No.7.

Drinkwater nominated his direct running game as a strength, with club dieticians devising a special diet to bulk him up to 85kg in anticipation of the rigours of first grade.

"It wasn't too hard to leave Manly because I had Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans in front of me," he said.

"There's a bit more of an opportunity here on a two-year deal with a club that's got a few other young guys coming through.
\
\
Kyle (Stanley) probably would've got first shot at halfback, but there's still Jamie Soward and Nathan Fien.

"They've both played rep footy and I'm really happy to be learning from those boys.

"Hopefully I'll get a test run in the trials and try to take any chance with both hands."

Drinkwater turned down interest from the Roosters and Canberra to join Manly in 2009.

He was then caught in a unique selection stir the following season, when officials and families wrote formal letters of protest about his omission from the Australian Schoolboys team.

"That was a big goal of mine and it was really disappointing to miss out," he said. "But I've just had to move on."

He did just that in 2012, with most try assists in the NYC despite Manly's poor standing.

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[happy_tiger]

Hopefully Taylor can help a lot with the halves this year. We saw what he can do with Pearce.

Realistically we would then have 6 half/five-eighths next year in Brooks, Moses, Martin, Moltzen and Drinkwater. Siro can also cover 5/8\. But it's certainly a worry if Brooks/Moses go down. Martin is unproven against men. Moltzen is borderline useless, so Drinky may find himself some first grade time if he performs well in NSW Cup. Still spewing we let Austin go, but hey…that's footy.

Drinkwater is a decent depth signing.

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What about Lawrence and Sirro :wink:

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

This signing doesn't excite me. I would of much rather Darren Nicholls or Luke Capewell back in the depth department. Local junior, ex NYV captain, ex Holy Cross, knows Brooks and Moses and played with Woods.

Drinkwater did okay with London Broncos in SL but played in one of the worst 1st grade teams I have ever seen. This guy would only be on 2nd tier but god help us if Brooks gets injured.

 

[everett]

I work with Josh's relative and confirm he has signed a two year contract with Wests Tigers.

He is happy to bid his time in NSW cup whilst he waits his chance.

Moved back to Australia as the London Broncos he was playing for were demoted.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Played with a rubbish spine and forward pack at St. Merge.

Let's see what he can do with our spine and forward pack. Taylor might be able to work wonders with him also.

 

[alex]

This signing doesn't excite me. I would of much rather Darren Nicholls or Luke Capewell back in the depth department. Local junior, ex NYV captain, ex Holy Cross, knows Brooks and Moses and played with Woods.

Nicholls and Brooks/Moses would've been what, five years apart? Yep, they totally know each others games inside out 😕

 

[happy_tiger]

Haven't watched too much of him , is he an organizer with kicking game or a running half ,good passing game ??

 

[tiger_convert]

All the times ive seen him play never impressed, cant tackle and not decisive to be in the halves. Will struggle in my opinion .

 

[Demps]

I just informed my girlfriend that we've signed this lad….

She asked for a photo and I showed her on google.
She said he went to her schoo (She went to Hunter Sports High, here in Newcastle)

She said he was never talked up as much as some of the othe footy boys, like Tyrone Roberts, Kruise Wilson, Matau'tia boys, etc - however he is one of the nicest guys around.

She said he's good on the guitar and always really nice and friendly.
She said she was thinking about him the other day wondering what happened to him.

I like the sound of him tbh.
Hope he is a success.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I just informed my girlfriend that we've signed this lad….

She asked for a photo and I showed her on google.
She said he went to her schoo (She went to Hunter Sports High, here in Newcastle)

She said he was never talked up as much as some of the othe footy boys, like Tyrone Roberts, Kruise Wilson, Matau'tia boys, etc - however he is one of the nicest guys around.

She said he's good on the guitar and always really nice and friendly.
She said she was thinking about him the other day wondering what happened to him.

I like the sound of him tbh.
Hope he is a success.

Great news. When he's not playing he can serenade the boys on the bench. Should be great for team morale.

 

[Tony33]

I just informed my girlfriend that we've signed this lad….

She asked for a photo and I showed her on google.
She said he went to her schoo (She went to Hunter Sports High, here in Newcastle)

She said he was never talked up as much as some of the othe footy boys, like Tyrone Roberts, Kruise Wilson, Matau'tia boys, etc - however he is one of the nicest guys around.

She said he's good on the guitar and always really nice and friendly.
She said she was thinking about him the other day wondering what happened to him.

I like the sound of him tbh.
Hope he is a success.

Mate i'd ask her a few more tough questions.. What's she doing thinking about him the other day !

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[Tigermama]

I suppose we do need a backup though and it's not as if there's a lot of halves sitting around waiting to be signed. Would have preferred we got Jacob miller back.

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Miller is at Hull FC and they don't want him. Want to cut him loose. He's been a big disappointment for them. Unless he improves dramatically , i wouldn't be signing him. Not what we need.

 

[Tigermama]

I just informed my girlfriend that we've signed this lad….

She asked for a photo and I showed her on google.
She said he went to her schoo (She went to Hunter Sports High, here in Newcastle)

She said he was never talked up as much as some of the othe footy boys, like Tyrone Roberts, Kruise Wilson, Matau'tia boys, etc - however he is one of the nicest guys around.

She said he's good on the guitar and always really nice and friendly.
She said she was thinking about him the other day wondering what happened to him.

I like the sound of him tbh.
Hope he is a success.

Great news. When he's not playing he can serenade the boys on the bench. Should be great for team morale.

LOL…..

 

[Demps]

I just informed my girlfriend that we've signed this lad….

She asked for a photo and I showed her on google.
She said he went to her schoo (She went to Hunter Sports High, here in Newcastle)

She said he was never talked up as much as some of the othe footy boys, like Tyrone Roberts, Kruise Wilson, Matau'tia boys, etc - however he is one of the nicest guys around.

She said he's good on the guitar and always really nice and friendly.
She said she was thinking about him the other day wondering what happened to him.

I like the sound of him tbh.
Hope he is a success.

Mate i'd ask her a few more tough questions.. What's she doing thinking about him the other day !

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Haha, nah…. Reflecting about old school friends, I'm sure everyone does it.
She is knows a lot of the footy boys and their sisters, etc.
Ain't no thang.

 

[Tigersmurf]

My work colleague is a massive Dragons fan. He doesn't really rate Drinkwater, and I tend to agree considering he was at the Dragons with Witt, Williams and Widdop and couldn't get a start. Witt was injured, Williams form was poor and then they signed Benji.

I feel like he could be another Beau Henry, but if anyone can get the best out of him I believe it is Taylor.

We need depth in this position but I doubt we will ever see him in first grade.

 

[sideline_eye]

Well, if our new coach rates him highly enough to sign as depth for the halves, I'll support the decision.

 

[Demps]

He's only young but hopefully he makes the most of this oppurtunity back in the NRL.
I'll be cheering for him.

 

[Tigermama]

My work colleague is a massive Dragons fan. He doesn't really rate Drinkwater, and I tend to agree considering he was at the Dragons with Witt, Williams and Widdop and couldn't get a start. Witt was injured, Williams form was poor and then they signed Benji.

I feel like he could be another Beau Henry, but if anyone can get the best out of him I believe it is Taylor.

We need depth in this position but I doubt we will ever see him in first grade.

With our injuries? Never say never.

 

[tig_prmz]

dont know much about him but better to sign josh drinkwater than todd drinkpiss

good luck josh!