Clifford main concern for Jets

THE form player of the Intrust Super Cup is on Ipswich’s radar as they look to quell the premiership threat of visitors the Northern Pride tomorrow.

The Jets let one slip late after leading the Capras last week, marring an otherwise strong start to the season led by arguably the fittest forward pack in the competition.

Jets coach Shane Walker was in no doubt his pack would easily match it with the inform Pride, more concerned about keeping Jake Clifford at bay as no team has managed to do in the first four rounds.

“We’ve certainly been impressed with Jake Clifford,” Walker said.

“Obviously Todd Carney is there with a wealth of experience and perhaps having Todd outside Jake has helped bring his game to a new level, but from what we’ve seen the first four rounds he’s certainly the form player of the competition.

“He’ll certainly be a large focus for us.

“It’s not our style to so much target them or go after them, but we’ll certainly identify Jake and Todd as threats that we’ve got to do a good job on defensively.”

Clifford will go head-tohead in the halves with another Far North junior, former Edmonton Storm player Julian Christian.

Nathaniel Neale terrorised the Pride at Barlow Park last year and came close to topping 200m gained against the Capras, and Walker expected the skipper to continue doing “a wonderful job” tomorrow.

“Nathaniel is playing really well. All the members of our forward pack are doing a great job,” he said.