Maroons under-20 star gets nod for Cowboys

A STAR showing for the Queensland under-20s has Jake Clifford set to make his debut for the Cowboys against the Dragons tonight.

His two-try, man-of-the-match performance for the Maroons was enough to convince North Queensland coach Paul Green to blood the Tully Tigers product.

The 20-year-old looks set to debut off the bench, with Ben Hampton shifting to fullback and Lachlan Coote dropping back to Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters.

In a season to forget for the Cowboys, Clifford’s rapid progression has been a highlight and he has spearheaded Northern Pride to fifth on the Queensland Cup table.

Green stopped short yesterday of rating Clifford a definite starter, but the youngster would seem set to play as a bench utility.

“I’d say more than likely (he’ll play),” Green said. “We’re just thinking it through – it’s only a matter of time before he makes his debut with the year he’s had.

“With the Dragons being one of the top teams you don’t want to throw him into the deep end, but I’ve got full confidence if we go that way that he’ll handle it.

“It’s one of the best parts of the job (handing a player his debut). You see these young guys work so hard to get an opportunity.”

A goal kicker, strong ball runner and a solid defender with a great kicking game, Clifford has all the assets to forge a long NRL career and is a huge chance of cementing a first-grade spot for next year following Johnathan Thurston’s imminent retirement.

The Cowboys are in danger of winning the wooden spoon after Parramatta’s win over Canterbury on Thursday night put the the Eels in equal last spot on 10 points with the Cowboys and Bulldogs.