By Nick Wright
Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck has revealed Jake Clifford is no guarantee to hold the club’s halfback jumper in 2025, and a battle with an untapped prospect is set to ensue.
North Queensland’s season came to an end in the semi-finals at the hands of Cronulla, their 24-16 defeat just the second during Clifford’s eight-game stint this year.
The Townsville product’s form in the Queensland Cup convinced coach Todd Payten to bring him into the fold at the expense of premiership-winning maestro Chad Townsend, who will join the Sydney Roosters next season.
Jake Clifford, pictured in the semi-final loss to Cronulla, is no guarantee to keep the No.7 jumper next year. Credit: Getty Images
But Luck confirmed to this masthead that the emergence of Tom Duffy would ensure Clifford’s mortgage on the No.7 jumper was no fait accompli, with versatile 18-year-old Jaxon Purdue another outside contender.
“It’s all in front of them. One thing that’s been pretty clear in Todd’s tenure as coach is it’s almost a clean slate every year, and you have to earn your spot in the team,” Luck said.
“He will take the best 17 in every week that he thinks will do a job for the jersey to win the game.”
Muddying the waters is the players’ contract situations, with Duffy and Clifford able to negotiate with rivals from November 1 for beyond 2025.
The lack of available halves on the market could make the pair hot commodities, and Duffy’s eye-catching progression is sure to have clubs intrigued.
Before he inked a deal to the end of next year, the Bulldogs had reportedly already sought to pry the 20-year-old away from the north.
According to Luck, the untested Duffy has undertaken an ideal preparation for life among the elite, having followed a plan carefully curated by the Cowboys from his final days at Ignatius Park.
Under Cowboys coach Todd Payten, players have to earn their spot in the team.Credit: Getty
He is now reaping those rewards, topping the competition for points (216), try assists (32), line break assists (20), and 40/20s (2).
While such numbers could pique the interest of others scrambling to build their squads around someone – Ben Hunt’s murky future at the Dragons, and Brisbane’s life beyond Adam Reynolds leading the narratives – Luck is confident there is no need to rush Duffy’s extension until after he responds to his NRL inauguration.
“We’re comfortable, and we’re comfortable because we’ve always been honest and open with Tom, his dad and his agent with what the plan was for him and how he would progress,” Luck said.
“He understands there’s nothing given in this game ever, and at this club, you have to compete. He’s comfortable in that evolution.
From November 1, Cowboy Jake Clifford will be free to negotiate with rival teams for 2026.Credit: NRL Photos
“I think he’s looking forward to the preseason, where he gets to go and be a legitimate contender to the No. 7 jersey.
“How he’s progressed over his last four seasons is almost the textbook progression for a young half. I think everyone is always in a hurry when there is a young schoolboy halfback to rush him into first grade and be the next JT [Johnathan Thurston].
“We set out a plan for him a couple of years ago: come out of school, play an under-20s season, and the next year, go and run a Queensland Cup team around the park. Be involved in the game and control the game, and he did that with the Blackhawks.
“Every step up he’s been presented with he’s taken and, in time, excelled at. It’s a real blueprint for a young half, the pathway Tom Duffy’s had, and now he’ll get his opportunity next preseason.”
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