Clifford’s winding back the clock

NORTHERN Pride playmaker Jake Clifford turned back the clock for one of his best performances in the Intrust Super Cup, in the rivalry round win against the Townsville Blackhawks.

The Tully product played out of his skin as Cowboys coach Todd Payten watched on from the grandstand, as he gained 258m from eight kicks, and 82m from nine runs, as well as making seven tackles in an errorless display. He scored a try, set up another, made a line break, broke two tackles, then broke the Blackhawks’ hearts by kicking five conversions from as many attempts – including a last-minute shot from the sideline which added salt to Townsville’s wounds. Pride coach Ty Williams said a talk 24 hours before kick-off might have played a role in the performance.

“We saw the Cliffo of old,” Williams said. “We had a bit of a chat with him on Friday, before the captain’s run. It wasn’t about playing a certain way, but we just revisited those memories of 2018.

“He defended well, we knew he was in the game.”

In 2018, Clifford was the ISC Rookie of the Year and a Player of the Year finalist as he steered the Pride to the finals.

And while his future is sorted – Clifford will move to the Knights at the end of this season – the Tully junior is fighting for another crack at the Cowboys’ No. 7 jersey while he remains at Townsville.

Clifford and halves partner Tom Steadman terrorised the Blackhawks’ back three, with Josh Hoffman, Michael Carroll and Kalifa Faifai Loa forced to contend with a sustained aerial assault which put the Pride on the front foot – then was crucial in the win.

“I thought Cliffo probably had his best game for a long time with us,” Williams said.

“He ran the footy, defended well, which was probably the start for it, and Steadman probably had his best game for us on the weekend. (Clifford’s) confidence built over a period of time, and it’s good to see.”