Super League club set to table “attractive offer” to star man

There have been some standout signings this year in Super League.

However, perhaps the signing of the season has been Hull FC’s Jake Clifford.

The halfback joined from Newcastle Knights and took on the number seven shirt.

Under the radar for most of the year, there is an argument to be made that he has been Super League’s best number seven in 2023. It could be said that it is either him or Leigh Leopards’ Lachlan Lam.

Great for the Black and Whites, a former Hull FC player in the shape of Paul Cooke is fearful he could head home in 2024.

“Clifford was immense again, there’s a really interesting one with him because West Tigers have just let Luke Brooks go to Manly for next season,” he said on BBC Radio Humberside.

“If I’m at West Tigers with Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah are there as coaches then Jake Clifford could be very much on their radar.

“It would be really disappointing for Hull FC to lose him, but you can hardly blame him if he goes home.

“With the form he’s in, I think he’s arguably the most consistent signing from overseas in the 2023 Super League.

“I think he’s been immense for Hull. When he plays well, then they play much better.”

As this NRL interest intensifies, his coach Tony Smith has made some interesting comments on the matter saying he hopes he gets “heaps of options.”

That said, he backs the club to make an attractive offer.

“We’re just trying to play good footy. I’ve said to Jake and Clifford that I support him with whatever he does throughout his career,” Smith said.

“He’s a good young man and I like working with him and we all do. He’ll attract interest and hopefully we’ll be attractive enough for him to stay and play for as long as he wants to.

“I hope he’s got a whole heap of options. If he’s got a whole heap of options, meaning options to go back to Australia, means he’s playing well.

“My job is to help Jake and help him achieve things in his career that he wants to achieve as well as helping the rest of his teammates achieve as much as they can along the way.”