He's been schooled by the legendary Johnathan Thurston but new signing Jake Clifford’s ready to be his own man at Hull FC.
The Australian stand-off, 25, debuted alongside iconic Kangaroos half-back Thurston for North Queensland Cowboys in 2018. There’s not many better players to learn from - although Clifford also came under the tutelage of Andrew Johns at Newcastle Knights last term. But he’s made the move from the NRL now with his first Betfred Super League game set to be Hull’s opener against Castleford on Sunday week.
“I just want to play a full season running a team and getting this side back in the finals,” said Clifford, with the Black and Whites embarrassed in ninth last term.
“If we make the finals it means I’m playing some good footy. I’ve come here to do that and do the best I can but also get back to enjoying football and playing with a bit of freedom.”
A former Junior Kangaroos captain, Clifford conceded he lost the fun factor in a Newcastle side that won just six times all season. He said: “When you’re losing football games, it’s not very enjoyable. “We started pretty well but just started falling off the rails after a few losses and had completely gone out of the window by the end. There were a few situations that happened but I’m better for it and hopefully I can show that over here.”
And that’s where those promptings of Golden Boot winner Thurston will no doubt help him out. Clifford recalled: "Ever since I was a young kid I’d supported the Cowboys. I loved them and was lucky enough to go there as an 18 year-old to play in the Under 20s comp’. I finally got picked for the NRL system and to hang around Jonno was pretty surreal.
“He was one of my idols growing up so to make my debut alongside him and get to see the way he operates off the footy field, how much he competes at training every day and wants to win everything, it was all pretty cool. Whenever he’d seen something or noticed something he’d always help me fix it. When I watched him I learned so much and I could always ask him things but I more or less learned by just watching him.”
Now Clifford is tasked with turning Hull into Super League contenders although his fellow new playmaker Jake Trueman isn’t expected to be fit until April. Dashing full-back Tex Hoy has also arrived from Newcastle, however, so he’s had a familiar face around when settling in. Clifford said: “It’s certainly helped. And if I can get this team into positions where Texy and Truey can ice things off, then I’ll be happy.”
