Newcastle halfback Jake Clifford has signed with Super League club Hull FC ahead of the 2023 season as the Knights pursuit of Tigers star Luke Brooks heats up.
The 24-year-old featured in only 12 games in 2022 and has signed a two-year deal that has an option to return to the NRL at any point according to The Daily Telegraph.
Clifford was on the outer in Newcastle as coach Adam O’Brien struggled to find his first choice halves pairing and the Knights are now masterminding a huge play to bring Kalyn Ponga closer to the ball.
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The Knights are reportedly planning to field a halves partnership of Brooks and Ponga come Round 1 next season.
Incoming Tigers coach Tim Sheens previously said he wouldn’t release Brooks, who is set to pocket over $1 million next season with his contract expiring at the end of 2023.
If the merger club release the 27-year-old, they will have a huge portion of their cap to sign more players ahead of the November 1 deadline, with Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’i already arriving next year.
Clifford’s departure also frees up at least $400,000 in Newcastle’s cap and the former Cowboy will make the move abroad before Christmas hoping to revive his career.
“I’m really excited to have signed. When Hull approached me, they made me feel like I was really wanted and that was a massive appealing factor for me,” Clifford said in a club statement.
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“I’ve got my mate, Tex Hoy, heading over to Hull for next season, as well, so I’m looking forward to linking up with him again.
“I hope I can bring some leadership to the group to help the team get around the park, but I also want to enjoy my footy and win some games.”
If the Knights fail in their pursuit of Brooks, new signing Tyson Gamble or Adam Clune can partner Newcastle’s marquee man.
By switching Ponga to the halves, another headache arises for Newcastle — who will play fullback?
Tex Hoy, who deputised for Ponga over the last three seasons, also signed with Hull FC in July seeking regular first grade football.
The Knights are reportedly pushing the Sea Eagles to release gun winger Reuben Garrick from his contract.
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But Manly powerbrokers hit back and Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said he had no desire to release Garrick given his contribution and importance to the team.
“The club sees Reuben as a real leader,” Mestrov told The Daily Telegraph.
“We have a very good group of players that can vie for the top four year on year and we want him to be a leader in this group moving forward.”
Garrick reportedly has no desire to keep playing on the wing, after filling in for the injured Tom Trbojevic at fullback in 2022.
With Trbojevic Manly’s fullback for the foreseeable future, Mestrov revealed Garrick will be offered a chance to move to the centres in a bid to get his hands on the ball more over the course of his new deal.
“We’ve offered him a strong four year deal which would match any offer the Knights give him,” Mestrov said.
