Hodgo backs Jake to star as Cowboy

RUGBY league legend Justin Hodges believes Jake Clifford has the potential to forge a long-term halves combination with Michael Morgan as calls grow for the youngster to be given a taste of first grade.

With just four wins from 15 games, the Cowboys are destined to miss the finals, which could provide a chance to blood the likes of Clifford and prepare for next year.

Clifford, 20, has been outstanding for Northern Pride this year and is 18th man for the Queensland clash with NSW.

Clifford re-signed with the Cowboys until the end of 2020 earlier this season and with Johnathan Thurston to retire at the end of the year, looks set to battle Te Maire Martin for the right to be Morgan’s sidekick.

Although Morgan was playing fullback, his season-ending biceps injury suffered in the loss to the Warriors last week has opened up the possibility of handing Clifford an NRL start.

The Tully Residents’ Tigers junior learned his craft through the Pride’s 16s and 18s programs, and the Cowboys’ clash with Souths in Cairns next Sunday would be an ideal place to debut.

His ability to read the game a few plays ahead has been noted by rivals and Hodges, who will coach Clifford in the Queensland under-20s before Origin III, believes he has the temperament to be Thurston’s successor in the No.7 jersey.

“He’s an exceptional talent,” Hodges said.

“He’s obviously had a good teacher in Johnno and that was our message to him, make sure you get around this bloke with the way he trains and eats and prepares, because there’s no one better in the game.

“I think him and Morgo would have a good combination.

“Princey (former Maroons halfback Scott Prince) had a chat to him in Queensland under-20s camp and told him the structure we want to play, and straight away he pounced on it.

“That’s his best quality, he’s willing to listen and learn.”

Hodges has already noticed Clifford’s capacity to lift his teammates. “He makes players around him better, as a young kid he’s already starting to do that,” Hodges said.

“He just reads the game and understands it, he knows when to pass and when to kick.

“Over the next couple of weeks you might see that (more youngsters blooded), but it could depend on whether they can still make the eight.”

editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost Members win bouts

SEVEN junior members of Mossman’s Coral Coast Judo Club who represented Queensland in the recent national titles on the Gold Coast did the region proud. “All of the junior members of our team won bouts,” coach Andy Schmidt said. Nikita McDonald won a silver medal, a third placing went to Alex McDonald, fourth placings to Tori Baird, Gwyneth Dowell, Hunta Langley and Price Duncan, and Nanami Anderson both finished fifth. Of the 70 members of the club, 48 are juniors and the benefits of learning judo are numerous, especially for young people, according to the coach. “Judo teaches respect, balance, self-defence and confidence,” Schmidt said. “And they also learn how to lose and learn from losses.” Next year’s national titles will be held in Perth and the club is already in training to lift skills and competencies for the event. “Judo is great for kids,” Schmidt said.

Young guns excel

YOUNG Innisfail rugby league players did their hometown proud at the Mendi Group Northern Region Junior Championships in Townsville earlier this month. Paired with players from Eacham, the teams held their own against Townsville sides. From the championships, a team of 19 was picked from the competing squads. The Under 15s did especially well, with four players from the Innisfail/Eacham side selected to be named in the event’s merit team — Innisfail’s Daniel Tutara and Rhyka Wickliffe-Adams, Andrew Brunello from Tully and Jazz Spry from Cooktown. Innisfail Brothers Under 15s coach James Ah Kee said he was proud of the team. “The boys that were in the side all went really well – for this age group, this is their third year and it’s the first time they’ve beaten Townsville,” he said.

Points event looms

FNQ Junior Golf is looking at conducting the Junior Golf Queensland District Points Challenge event at Far North clubs Atherton, Gordonvale, Mossman, Paradise Palms and Ravenshoe later this year. For the JGQ event, all players – 18-hole GA handicap players and 9-hole novices – need to be a financial member of an FNQ Club and a financial member of JGQ.