Cameron Smith outlines how Drinkwater led North Queensland to improbable win over Roosters

SEN’s Cameron Smith has praised the North Queensland Cowboys for producing arguablyone of the greatest wins in the club’s history.

The Cowboys were without six of their starting players due to State of Origin and were staring down the barrel of another defeat in Sydney after the Roosters led 16-4 with 30 minutes remaining.

The Cowboys, on the back of inspirational fullback Scott Drinkwater, remarkably hit the front with seven minutes left and held on for a famous 18-16 win at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“That’s the best game I’ve seen the Cowboys play in a long, long time,” Smith declared on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“To be able to beat that Roosters lineup yesterday was (outstanding).

“I don’t think anyone gave them much chance to beat the Roosters given they were down six of their starters.

“They also had two players on debut so they were up against it. It was a tough performance by the Cowboys.

“Jaxon Purdue (who was on debut) had been playing halfback for Mackay in the Queensland Cup. He got put in the centres and he played a fantastic first-up match.

“It was an outstanding game by Scott Drinkwater and it was good to see him stand up in the absence of (co-captains) Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter.

“The Cowboys needed one of their stars to take control of this footy side and (Drinkwater) did that.

“He was enormous and everywhere. Drinkwater was lethal with the footy and I thought his kicking game, particularly in the second half, was really smart.

“Drinkwater simply played a smart game of footy and it was hard to handle for the Roosters.”

The Cowboys could welcome back their Origin stars in Round 14 when they host the Warriors on Saturday night in Townsville.