What Jake Clifford’s ‘super special’ return means for Cowboys

One of North Queensland’s favourite sons made his Cowboys return on Saturday night. Go inside the sheds and read what Clifford had to say after his emotional comeback.

It was a comeback 1072 days in the making.

One of North Queensland’s favourite sons Jake Clifford made his Cowboys return on Saturday night, starring for his boyhood club during a narrow 28-26 defeat to Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins in a chaotic game in Townsville.

The Tully Tigers junior said it was “super special” to be able to complete his comeback in front of a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“I’ve missed that feeling of who we play for up here. To get to play that out in front of a home crowd, I’m super grateful to get that chance again,” Clifford said.

“It was good, I thought I got into the rhythm quickly. I’ve been getting ready to play when my opportunity came and I didn’t feel out of place tonight.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the win but it was super special to be able to play in front of this home crowd.”

Clifford made eight kicks for 330m and notched up a try assist to go with his 21 tackles without a miss. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old’s kicking game offered great variation from what Cowboys fans are used to and a memorable 40/20 from a spiral bomb was a highlight of the night.

Clifford made eight kicks for 330m and notched up a try assist to go with his 21 tackles without a miss.

“Kicking is definitely a strength of mine,” Clifford said.

“I got a bit lucky with that 40/20, putting a floater up, but I guess that’s the advantage when it bounces – you don’t know where it’s going to go.”

Clifford was offered an NRL lifeline at the end of 2023 to come back to his beloved Cowboys. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Clifford launched his NRL career with the Cowboys in 2018 as a 20-year-old pup, going on to play 42 games before a mid-season departure to the Newcastle Knights in 2021.

The Cairns-born halfback never reached his full potential at Newcastle and after just 25 games he left Australia to join Super League side Hull FC.

Clifford was offered an NRL lifeline at the end of 2023 to come back to his beloved Cowboys and act understudy to Chad Townsend, but few would have predicted a return to first grade this early in the season.

The Cowboys play the Gold Coast in round 10 and Clifford is a great chance to be in the team whether or not Townsend has fully recovered from injury.

Clifford will also certainly be back in the team if Tom Dearden is unavailable during the State of Origin period.

Originally published as What Jake Clifford’s ‘super special’ return means for Cowboys