Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:22 pm  

Interesting last sentence in the clubs press release
They’ve also announced his sponsor.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Wed Oct 26, 2022 9:33 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

Good interview with him on FC Live, comes across very well.

Interesting that he said he had a zoom call with Tony Smith and Clarkey about 10 days ago?

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Wed Oct 26, 2022 11:32 pm  

Just please please please if we can do one thing and thats not to demand too much or get on his back if he hasnt set the world on fire his first couple of games.

Lets not ruin or put preassure on another spine before its even had chance.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:12 am  

Never in doubt

Picked a great night to fly overnight and miss all the action.

Really happy with this signing, probably the best we could have asked for, a young but experienced half, with a lot to prove if he wants to go back to the NRL, reminds me of Salford signing both Hastings and Croft, both talented, but didn't quite work out for them in the NRL.

As big a loss as Connor is, this gives is a better balance at 1,6 and 7, along with the other 4 signings got to be pretty happy with out recruitment, still lacking in the pack, particularly in the backrow and am hopefully we can still get one more in (Longstaff or English), but I am sure that every team in SL has a weakness in their squad, even Saints with the loss of Grace who hasn't been replaced.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:55 am  

Can’t see how the club could have recruited a better available half back. Ticks all the boxes.

Connor is one of the most naturally gifted players I’ve seen in the black and white, but we look far more balanced now we’ve adjusted the pivots.

At least now we’ve sorted out the crucial spine positions, we can adjust the rest of the squad in the next window, with so many OOC.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:58 am  

Out of the halfbacks who were getting linked to us Clifford was the best by a distance.

Think his situation mirrors Hastings & Croft because they were both hyped up and seemed to fall out of love with the game due to things out of their control, in Cliffords case AOB being a weird bloke who has zero interpersonal skills. There is the worry about homesickness with him for sure but it was 100% worth the risk.

A totally new dynamic spine along with a coach known for promoting a 'eyes up footy' approach sounds like a very exciting combination.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:21 am  

The 'clause' is a bit of a strange one, back to the NRL at any time if an NRL team wants him.

Hes a great signing all the same

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:32 am  

bishops finger wrote:

The 'clause' is a bit of a strange one, back to the NRL at any time if an NRL team wants him.

Hes a great signing all the same

TBH most overseas players who come under 30 have this, I would suspect it would be at the end of a season.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 10:00 am  

The club deserves huge credit in getting this deal over the line. We are in a tricky spot with contract situations (albeit the club has itself to blame for that) however I believe we have made some brilliant recruitment given our position. If i was to be picky i would say a SR is still needed, however we have improved in the areas we were most weak last year. The club have not sat still and have been proactive, it is time for us as fans to repay them and get the place packed next season.

Re: Jake Clifford Confirmed : Thu Oct 27, 2022 10:18 am  

bishops finger wrote:

The 'clause' is a bit of a strange one, back to the NRL at any time if an NRL team wants him.

Hes a great signing all the same

Has this clause been confirmed?