Melbourne have secured the services of outstanding Australian Schoolboys half-back Scott Drinkwater with the hope he will take over playmaking duties from Cooper Cronk.

The Storm have signed Drinkwater on a three-year deal, edging out more than half a dozen suitors including incumbent club the Roosters. The prized signing is part of a succession plan for when Melbourne's "big three" – Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith – retire.

The club believes Drinkwater could be part of an emerging big three with fill-in fullback Cameron Munster and another schoolboy prodigy, teen centre Curtis Scott. The latter was captain of Cronulla's SG Ball premiership-winning side and was the player of the tournament at a schoolboys carnival in Wollongong earlier this year.