Super League-linked Jake Clifford could be set to stay at North Queensland Cowboys, according to reports Down Under.
Clifford is off contract at the end of the NRL season and has been linked with a move back to Super League, where he spent a year with Hull FC back in 2023. However, after performing well in the NRL this season with the Cowboys, he has options in Australia too, it seems.
And, according to The Mole through Wide World of Sports, he might just favour staying put in Townsville given the option. The report claims Clifford is set to turn down moves to several clubs to stay at the Country Bank Stadium.
That’s because Clifford has a young family that is settled in Townsville and with another baby on the way, it seems a move away from the Cowboys doesn’t appeal at this point in time. As such, presuming he has the opportunity to, Clifford looks set to remain in North Queensland.
Leigh Leopards were the club linked with Clifford earlier this season, but it looks as though the Leopards will be looking at other options should they push to sign a half for 2026.
The Cowboys were Clifford’s local team growing up and he started his career with the club, making his NRL debut back in 2018.
He made 42 appearances over four seasons there before moving on to join Newcastle Knights in 2021. He spent a season and a half in New South Wales and made 25 outings before penning a two-year deal with Hull FC.
Clifford was one of Hull’s most impressive performers in 2023, with the half-back scoring five tries over what was a tricky season for the Black and Whites in Super League. Ultimately, he moved back to the Cowboys after just a year in the Northern Hemisphere and he has been in and out of the first grade line up ever since.
He made eight outings last season but this time around he has played 10 games with four tries coming along the way under Todd Payten.
