NRL 2022: Jake Clifford dealing with personal issues, Newcastle Knight’s $4m crisis

Newcastle are dealing with an injury crisis, with over $4 million worth of talent on the sidelines, including the surprise absence of chief playmaker Jake Clifford.

Jake Clifford has been left out of Newcastle’s side for “personal reasons” as the Knights head to Townsville with about $4 million – almost half their salary cap - on the sidelines.

So dire has Newcastle’s situation become coach Adam O’Brien was forced to pluck virtual unknowns just to fill out the mandatory 24-man squad on Tuesday.

“We’re banged up,” O’Brien told The Daily Telegraph.

“I might be dragging a few off the street to play.”

Clifford was hooked during the club’s horror 50-2 loss to Melbourne last Sunday and he has been spared a homecoming this Saturday against the Cowboys as he deals with issues away from the field.

“His body is OK, he has some challenges around his preparation mentally for the game,” O’Brien said. “He is down. That’s coaching and knowing when to protect them.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Jake Clifford will miss the Knights Round 9 clash as he deals with personal issues off the field. Picture: NRL Photos.

“I’ll put an arm around him. He is an integral part of the team. He has some personal stuff he needs to work on off the field. (Sunday) wasn’t a great day for him. He is the first to admit that… Sometimes it’s like quicksand – it was getting worse and worse.”

Clifford’s stint on the sidelines is not expected to be long-term but he joins a growing list of Newcastle players missing.

Three of their first-choice spine members won’t play against North Queensland with Clifford, Adam Clune (knee) and Jayden Brailey (Achilles) missing.

Clune has tried to play on with a medial ligament injury but has struggled despite his efforts. Throw in Mitchell Pearce, who the club did not replace, and the situation is becoming dire for Newcastle.

It means the Knights needed NRL clearance to call-up Tex Hoy into the side. Hoy and Phoenix Crossland – who have nine combined games of NRL starting experience in the halves – will lead Newcastle against the Cowboys.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien is also dealing with over $4 million worth of talent sitting on the sidelines. Picture: Getty Images.

Queensland star Dane Gagai (cheekbone), Hymel Hunt (face) and Mitch Barnett (suspended) are other big-names missing. Kurt Mann also joined the injury list with the utility sidelined for the next month after tearing ankle ligaments when he stepped on a teammates foot at training last week.

Dom Young and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (both knee) have been named to return but they still need a final clearance to play while Tyson Frizell is bedridden after he was unable to make it through the 80 minutes last week.

O’Brien has had to name five players outside his top 30 in his 24-man to play the in-form Cowboys.

“The physios are working overtime to get a few up. Tyson is still pretty crook… I’ll be stretching up at the moment.”

The Knights have sunk to last on the premiership ladder with six consecutive losses. O’Brien understands the blowtorch is on his side but is unwilling to concede the season was lost.

“We’re not going to run away,” O’Brien said. “We’re going to fight. It’s not a post-mortem. They care, they are embarrassed. I know people witnessing some of the vision they don’t care. They clearly do. There are standards we can’t expect. We have a reunited front. When you’re faced with adversity you run away or you fight.”

MISSING

Dane Gagai (cheekbone)

Mat Croker (jaw)

Jirah Momoisea (elbow)

Mitch Barnett (suspended)

Bailey Hodgson (elbow)

Hymel Hunt (face)

Kurt Mann (ankle)

Jayden Brailey (Achilles)

Adam Clune (knee)

IN DOUBT

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee)

Dom Young (knee)

Tyson Frizell (virus)

Originally published as NRL 2022: Jake Clifford dealing with personal issues, Newcastle Knight’s $4m crisis