Panthers will Cleary be a challenge for Clifford
WITHOUT his mum constantly driving him to games as a youngster, Jake Clifford may not have ascended through the Cowboys ranks.
Now in North Queensland’s Women in League round clash with the Panthers, the Tully product is aiming to reward that dedication against the form halfback in the NRL.
Clifford will face off with Nathan Cleary, who has guided Penrith to the top of the table on the back of 13 consecutive wins.
Sporting the club’s new jersey for Friday night’s clash, the 22-year-old appreciated the pressure would be on his shoulders to get one over the Dally M Medal contender if his side is to stand a chance.
It is pressure that has constantly followed him, ever since he first began his NRL career being lauded as “the next Johnathan Thurston”.
The comparison may be both unfair and unrealistic, given the accolades Thurston has held, but Clifford has shown signs in 2020 that, at the very least, his best is still to come.
Since moving to the left hand side of the field, Clifford has relished “taking the shackles off”, and that renewed attacking flair will prove pivotal in countering Cleary and his enigmatic Panthers.
“He’s the same age as me, I’m pretty sure; he’s definitely a standard to try and match this week. We’re playing on the same side of the field, so for me it’s going to be a good challenge and I’m looking forward to it,”
Clifford said.
“The thing I’ve learned is I’m not going to be a JT. The best thing I can do is just be the best of myself. There’s attributes there Jonno has got that I’d like to follow, but in saying that, he’s a oncein-a-lifetime player. He’s going to be an
Immortal, I’d say, in the next few years.
“When people said I was going to be the next Jonno, I don’t think I could ever really fill those shoes – the best thing I can do is be the best player and person for myself.”