NRL Crystal Ball: Our experts give their predictions on how the 2023 season will play out

Then North Queensland star Scott Drinkwater would be thrust straight into the State of Origin cauldron after striking the richest vein of form of any No.1 in the league in recent weeks.

Drinkwater’s attacking production has dwarfed fellow contenders for the Blues fullback jersey in incumbent skipper James Tedesco, Clint Gutherson and Dylan Edwards.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten insisted it was time Drinkwater’s performances were recognised by selectors of the Tweed.

“He’s played well and his name should be mentioned in that space,” Payten said.

“There’s more to being a fullback than setting up and scoring tries but if they are looking for points then Scotty is their man.

“I don’t think he’s far away. I think he can handle it.

“Whatever they decide to do, they decide to do, and fingers crossed ‘Drinky’ will get a shot. If it’s not this year it will be down the track.”

In six games since Rd 11, Drinkwater has been involved in 18 tries (scored and assisted) and 20 line breaks (running and passing) for the Cowboys.

In that same span Blues captain Tedesco (5 games) has been involved in eight tries and six line breaks.

Eels captain Gutherson is closest to Drinkwater with involvement in 14 tries and 15 line breaks while Penrith’s Edwards has six try and four line break involvements, both in six games.

Drinkwater’s purple patch of form has coincided with the Cowboys stunning reversal of fortunes, having dropped as low as second last spot just five weeks ago.

Now they’re on the cusp of making a shock return into the top eight.

And rugby league experts across both The Daily Telegraph and The Courier Mail have backed last year’s fairytale side to continue their run all the way to September.

Having cast their eye over each team’s final 10 weeks of the season, they concluded that there are just nine teams in contention for the finals.

Their end-of-season predictions also include:

– Nine teams left for the finals - Panthers, Storm, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Eels, Cowboys, Raiders, Sharks, Broncos

– Season over for eight teams - Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Knights, Sea Eagles, Titans, Dolphins, Bulldogs

– Top-eight locks: Panthers, Storm, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Broncos.

– Roosters to miss finals for the first time since 2016

– Finals droughts continue for three teams - Tigers (12 years), Bulldogs (seven years), Dragons (five years)

– Minor premiers - Panthers on track to finish top again

– Minor miracle - Cowboys’ miraculous top-eight recovery despite sitting 16th after 9 rounds

– On the edge - Raiders, Eels, Sharks, Cowboys battling for final three top-eight spots

– Unbackable quinella - Panthers, Storm unanimous top-two finish

– Warriors’ revival - Warriors to return to finals for first time since 2018, and heavily favoured to reach the top four

– Spoon battle - Tigers favourites to run last in a two-way fight with Dragons

Maroons utility Tom Dearden said he couldn’t understand why Drinkwater had not attracted more Origin buzz.

“I don’t really understand it, to be honest,” Dearden said.

“Drinky has been absolutely awesome for us and he’s been one of our best players for pretty well the whole year, and probably the last couple of years as well.

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“I think his name definitely deserves to be tossed up there.

“He creates points for us, he competes hard and he saves tries so I can’t see why his name isn’t mentioned.

“I think it definitely makes Queensland fans happy - but it’s good that we get to have Drinky play for us (at the Cowboys). He’s just so creative and he’s playing with lots of confidence. If you give Drinky any opportunity at all he’s going to nail it nine times out of 10.”

Originally published as NRL Crystal Ball: Our experts give their predictions on how the 2023 season will play out