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St George Illawarra are poised to secure Scott Drinkwater on a lucrative deal, addressing a long-standing gap at fullback.
The St George Illawarra Dragons are closing in on a major signing, with reports indicating a deal for Scott Drinkwater is nearly finalised.
According to Nine's Danny Weidler, the North Queensland Cowboys fullback is understood to have agreed to terms worth about $900,000 per season, although the club has not yet confirmed the move.
If completed, the deal would be a significant boost for the Dragons, who remain winless this season and recently parted ways with coach Shane Flanagan.
Club great Dean Young has stepped in as interim coach for the rest of the year, yet the ongoing instability has not deterred Drinkwater from a proposed switch in 2027.
The 26-year-old had earlier rejected an initial offer from the Dragons after being granted permission by the Cowboys to explore his future.
That prompted Andrew Johns to back an aggressive approach, suggesting even a $1 million annual deal would represent value. Speaking on Nine's Immortal Behaviour, Johns indicated Drinkwater's playmaking ability and peak years ahead made him an ideal fit for a side lacking attacking spark.
Fullback has been a persistent concern for the Dragons. Clint Gutherson has struggled at times to keep pace with the modern game, while Tyrell Sloan has yet to cement himself as a long-term option.
With Gutherson sidelined, Sloan is set to start in the Anzac Day clash against the Sydney Roosters, though the long-term picture remains unclear.
Gutherson has publicly supported the pursuit, confirming he had contacted Drinkwater to help progress negotiations and emphasising his focus on contributing in any role.
The potential signing would follow another major 2027 addition, with Keaon Koloamatangi set to arrive from South Sydney on a five-year, $5 million deal.
The Dragons are still searching for a full-time coach, with Young and former premiership winner Ben Hornby among early contenders.