Rumoured Targets 3

[NoSchitSherlock]

if he was any good surely the coach would select/play him

I'd agree except they did the same thing with Ponga.

I'm wary about Clifford being an answer but am prepared to give him a go. Can't be worse than what we have.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

I'd agree except they did the same thing with Ponga.

I'm wary about Clifford being an answer but am prepared to give him a go. Can't be worse than what we have.

The difference is, Ponga signed before the season started, so the Boys decided not to play him, Clifford started this season and was absolutely horrible, thats the reason he was dropped, hopefully a change of clubs will kick him back into gear.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

The difference is, Ponga signed before the season started, so the Boys decided not to play him

Ponga was getting a regular run long before we signed him.

 

[PhilGould]

Ponga had played 2 games before we signed him, both elimination finals on the wing

 

[Frederick]

The difference is, Ponga signed before the season started, so the Boys decided not to play him, Clifford started this season and was absolutely horrible, thats the reason he was dropped, hopefully a change of clubs will kick him back into gear.

The entire cowboys team was playing horrible. Clifford was an easy drop since he's signed here. What's the point in them persisting with him?

 

[PhilGould]

To be fair he hasn't exactly set the world on fire at any point so far in first grade. He was an incredible half coming through the grades. If we can get him back to anywhere near what he looked like becoming we'll have a very good player on our hands. Plenty of gun juniors just can't handle the big stage though.

 

[Rod]

Hopefully not another Beau Henry situation.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Clifford has come through at a really tough time for the cowboys. Thurston and Scott are gone and Morgan has barely played in the last 3-4 years and has now retired too. Their team has been in sharp decline since the 2017 GF which they only got to on the back of Morgan. Aside from Tamaulolo the rest of their side has been really poor for a while now and the management and coaching has been a big part of that.

It’s Probably the best thing for Clifford’s career that he’s leaving now as it’s probably going to take a few more years for them to rebuild that team and get them back to even close to where they were and there will be plenty of those players who end up on the scrap heap in the process. Whether he goes well at the Knights or not is yet to be seen but I’m willing to give him time to show what he can do.

 

[Jono078]

Hopefully not another Beau Henry situation.

Beau Henry had extreme hype and a solid contract offered to him. I don't think the risk/reward with Clifford is as big.

I don't have my hopes high, but we'll see what a new environment and linking back up with Ponga and learning off Pearce can do for him.

 

[Knight Tales]

I think AOB will simplify Jake’s game at first and he will play left mainly to compliment KP. If their magic can reignite it is happy days for us.

 

[aqua_duck]

I wasn't a fan of Clifford when we signed him but on further reflection I think he can improve alot in a better environment. He's a proper organising half who is playing in a poor team and hasn't really had enough of a consistent run to have the confidence to steer the team around. Alot of youngsters do well in juniors and then they're never heard of again when they have to play against men but Clifford was NYC player of the year and then backed it up with QLD team of the year as a 20 year old rookie playing against men. He would've been signed on the recommendation of Clint Zammit who's reputation for talent identification is almost unmatched.
With all that being said he could come here and be a massive flop as well, who knows....

 

[The Axe of Druss]

 

[Yosh]

Can he tackle, kick and pass? If he can, he is already the most well rounded half at the club. Also, young enough to mold and improve. Best mates with Ponga, even better.

 

[Tony Morris]

Can he tackle, kick and pass? If he can, he is already the most well rounded half at the club. Also, young enough to mold and improve. Best mates with Ponga, even better.

Future halves KP and Clifford, maybe sooner than planned if they feel Hodgson can be eased in earlier at FB although I know this wasnt thought planned till at next season at the earliest there's a few clubs trusting the kids at the minute and if Hodgson is the worth the hype why not?

 

[Yosh]

The problem is that kids tend to lose confidence very quickly after a few losses. Knowing how to play and knowing how to win can be very different things. I'm scared that we might make everyone into a Mullen....

If we can sign some older experienced winners (do we have any real winners in the team?), I'd be happy to go with:

1. Hodgson
6. Ponga
7. Clifford
9. Brailey
14. Watson

From 2022 onwards.

 

[Tony Morris]

The problem is that kids tend to lose confidence very quickly after a few losses. Knowing how to play and knowing how to win can be very different things. I'm scared that we might make everyone into a Mullen....

If we can sign some older experienced winners (do we have any real winners in the team?), I'd be happy to go with:

1. Hodgson
6. Ponga
7. Clifford
9. Brailey
14. Watson

From 2022 onwards.

Agree fully, and I think kids like young Dom who didnt arrive with the best of wraps and in my opinion clearly shows he lacks a little self belief (hopefully we can change that) a lack of confidence is evident, but when you then look at Hodgson, similar to Sam Walker at Roosters, same age 18, but lived and breathed the rugby way of life since birth, Sam with his Dad and from what I know Hodgson his Grandad played, his Dad played, Josh obviously, for kids like him and Walker its a way of life, its in their blood as such I think it does make a difference when you come through early with talent. I think these kids are naturally confident and spectator criticism is water of a ducks back to them.

 

[Yosh]

With the Broncos signing Karmichael Hunt, is there anyone that we can sign that would off the same value?

 

[Burwood]

The problem is that kids tend to lose confidence very quickly after a few losses. Knowing how to play and knowing how to win can be very different things. I'm scared that we might make everyone into a Mullen....

If we can sign some older experienced winners (do we have any real winners in the team?), I'd be happy to go with:

1. Hodgson
6. Ponga
7. Clifford
9. Brailey
14. Watson

From 2022 onwards.

We did just spend $500,000 to extend our current half’s contract 12 months.

 

[Knight Tales]

I wasn't a fan of Clifford when we signed him but on further reflection I think he can improve alot in a better environment. He's a proper organising half who is playing in a poor team and hasn't really had enough of a consistent run to have the confidence to steer the team around. Alot of youngsters do well in juniors and then they're never heard of again when they have to play against men but Clifford was NYC player of the year and then backed it up with QLD team of the year as a 20 year old rookie playing against men. He would've been signed on the recommendation of Clint Zammit who's reputation for talent identification is almost unmatched.
With all that being said he could come here and be a massive flop as well, who knows....

Clearly not happy up there.

 

[Jono078]

This isn't a rumour as of yet, but does anyone think it's worth looking at John Morris as an assistant coach?

He seems to be a really calm head that the playing group love and from my perspective he has done a tremendous job with all the young blokes he's brought in - could be a positive for our younger guys.