Clifford has inked a new two-year deal with the club, which will keep him in Townsville until at least the end of the 2028 season. <\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
His form this year has been too good to ignore and his re-signing most likely means the Cowboys will roll with a Clifford-Tom Dearden halves pairing for the next few years. <\/p>\n
Recently re-signed young gun Jaxon Purdue was reportedly keen to move into the halves last season but with Scott Drinkwater leaving for the Dragons, Purdue is set to wear the No. 1 next year.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s well deserved for Clifford, who has had to scrap and claw in recent seasons to lock his spot down and confirm his future at the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Even as recently as a couple of weeks ago, there was reports coach Todd Payten had met with Warriors pivot Chanel Harris-Tavita, who is off contract in 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cJake was challenged in the pre-season to win his spot, he did that and has gone on to play some of the best football of his career,\u201d Cowboys CEO Micheal Luck said via a club-issued statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership between Jake and Tom Dearden in the halves has blossomed over the past 12 months and we believe they complement each other well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given Clifford\u2019s re-signing, any chance Harris-Tavita joins the Cowboys have been dashed.<\/p>\n
The Warriors, who are trying to re-sign in-form half Tanah Boyd and have Luke Metcalf on big money, want to keep Harris-Tavita, but it appears unlikely unless the 27-year-old accepts a back-up role.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love him and we don\u2019t want him to leave, but we\u2019ll see how it continues to play out,\u201d Warriors coach Andrew Webster said<\/a>.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018CONFUSED\u2019: Bulldogs slammed for developing \u2018great No.6\u2019 in wrong position<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018TELL HIS STORY\u2019: Latrell praised for \u2018breaking ice\u2019 with media ban lift for fans<\/a><\/p>\n TEAMS RD 10: Wayne\u2019s halves shake-up, shock axing… and Tigers backline overhaul<\/a><\/p>\n Leniu’s Chooks future remains in doubt | 01:43<\/p>\n KNIGHTS PLAYMAKER INKS EXTENSION<\/p>\n The Knights have recieved a boost with young hooker Harrison Graham inking a one year extension with the club. <\/p>\n The 24-year-old rake has scored two tries in 17 games for the Dolphins and Knights since his debut in 2023, including six games in his first season at Newcastle in 2026. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Newcastle Knights hooker Harrison Graham has extended his contract with the club through to the end of the 2027 season,\u201d the club said in a statement. <\/p>\n Knights Head of Recruitment Peter O\u2019Sullivan said Graham had earned the contract upgrade with his work ethic and form.<\/p>\n \u201cHarrison backed himself to come to the Knights on a development deal, working tirelessly in the off-season to set a platform for a big year, and he has excelled so far in 2026,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan said.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite several clubs chasing his signature, Harrison shares our vision for the future and has chosen to stay and play his part in the Knights\u2019 success moving forward.<\/p>\n \u201cHarrison loves this town and this club.<\/p>\n \u201cHis strong connection with the playing group, staff and the community were among the many reasons he chose to remain a Knight.\u201d<\/p>\n Head Coach Justin Holbrook said the extension was excellent news for the club.<\/p>\n \u201cHarrison has fitted in perfectly in his first 12 months here at the club,\u201d Holbrook said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe fits our DNA: hardworking and very popular with the players and staff.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are thrilled Harrison has decided to stay with the Knights, it is a great outcome for our club, and for Harrison and his family.\u201d<\/p>\n Harrison Graham has inked an extension with the Knights.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n BRONCOS STAR\u2019S HUGE ORIGIN ADMISSION<\/p>\n Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam is hoping for an unlikely Origin Game 1 berth for Queensland but concedes that defensively, his game is not up to scratch. <\/p>\n Incumbent five-eighth and Maroons skipper Cam Munster is all but certain to be picked by Billy Slater in the No. 6 jersey despite a significant form slump.<\/p>\n However, Mam\u2019s chances of being picked, and the chances of other fringe Origin playmakers increased in the off-season when the NRL extended the interchange size from four to six.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n PREDICTED QUEENSLAND TEAM: $1.5m star benched in EIGHT changes<\/a><\/p>\n PREDICTED NSW TEAM: Three-way shootout and how Loz could shake up bench<\/a><\/p>\n Mam, who was picked in the extended Maroons squad for Game 2 last year, could be named on the six-man bench to only provide injury cover or in a No.14\/super sub-type role.<\/p>\n While Mam \u201cdreams\u201d of one day winning a maiden Maroons jersey, he admits there\u2019s one major aspect of his game that he needs to improve.<\/p>\n