Clifford has shot to make his mark

FORMER Queensland State of Origin legend and Channel 9 Intrust Super Cup commentator Scott Sattler says Todd Carney’s departure could give a rising star an ideal chance to assert his future status.

The departure of the NRL star is set to put more pressure on the shoulders of Cowboyscontracted halfback Jake Clifford, but Sattler said there were enough players left at the Pride to guide him.

“You don’t want to put pressure on a young man’s shoulders, but ... sometimes you’ve got to step up when you need to step up and Jake Clifford probably needs to take a lot more responsibility now Todd’s gone,” he said.

“They’re going to miss him definitely through his experience, his kicking and passing game, but I think it gives the opportunity for Jake Clifford to step up and be the man to guide the Pride back into the finals.

“Looking at his age, he’s got to take a lot of that responsibility but a lot those experienced players around him have got the ability now to help him.”

The Pride’s odds of making a premiership charge blew out yesterday, with Ladbrokes adjusting the market to put the club at $41, compared to $21 prior to their weekend win over Sunshine Coast.

The departure has put into perspective coach Ty Williams’ self-confessed brainwave to play Carney at fullback last week, playing likely replacement Jordan Biondi-Odo at five-eighth in the first half.

But supporters will have to wait and see how exactly things come together.

Rather than allay any of their fears over Carney’s departure, Williams wished to direct them to the unbeaten under-20s side playing this weekend.

Former Pride skipper Jason Roos said Biondi-Odo was an obvious choice to replace Carney.

“I think naturally it will be a bit of a challenge for them, but they’ve got some good young players,” he said.

“You’ve got Jordan BiondiOdo, who played a really good game on the weekend and you’ve got guys like Jared Allen.

“Naturally, they’re not Todd Carney, but at the end of the day these are young players coming through given the perfect opportunity.”

THEY’RE GOING TO MISS HIM ... BUT I THINK IT GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR JAKE CLIFFORD TO STEP UP AND BE THE MAN TO GUIDE THE PRIDE BACK INTO THE FINALS

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