BY DAN

According to Triple M, the Canberra Raiders have signed Jake Clifford. There is no word on the parameters of the deal yet, but my expectation is that this is likely a one and one deal (I.e two years, second year club option).

At this stage we have little else to go on other than the Triple M report, so we’d caution getting too carried away. All reports were that Clifford was desperate to stay in North Queensland, and last time he left the club (for Newcastle) he ended up high-tailing pretty quickly back to the far north. But it’s pretty clear that the Cowboys aren’t keen to keep him around and want to lean into the Purdue/Dearden combination. Canberra were one of a couple of teams who were an option, so it seems a pretty reasonable assessment to assume this is true. But rugby league being rugby league and reporters being “reporters” means that we’ll just keep an eyebrow raised for now.

As odd as it may seem, picking up Clifford is a vote of confidence in Ethan Sanders. Clifford is the prototypical solid half. He can run a team if needed, with a perfectly adequate kicking game (both short and long). He can run the ball – some the Raiders have found out almost every time we’ve played against a Cowboys team with him it. Of the ten games he’s played this year, he’s had three tackle breaks or more in four of them. He’s decent in defence and always around the ball on a break.

But his upside is limited and he’d only ever be a stopgap solution. He’s been in and out of first grade under Todd Payten. The latest usurpation has been at the hands of Jason Purdue, a young half who is as green as they come. Purdue has been chosen over Clifford because he represents a better future for the Cows, even if the team is currently demonstrably better with Clifford playing alongside Tom Dearden.

For the Raiders the outcome would be similar. Starting halfback would still Ethan Sanders, but with the safety net of a first grade quality halfback in stead. This would give Sanders the space to learn and grow without having to carry a basket with all of the Raiders’ eggs in it.

If there is a person whose future is now in limbo, it’s likely Adam Cook. He’s on a training contract for this year and like Sanders is still learning on the job. He’s not really proven himself first grade quality, so the Raiders have evidently taken the opportunity to upgrade their back up. The inconsistent form of the NSW Cup team cannot have helped.

This signing would give the Raiders a full top 30 for 2026. There’s always flexibility in that – Joe Roddy, Manaia Waitere, Vena Patuki-Case and some other young players are likely on flexible deals. But this is getting close to a full dance card for 2026. Outside of finding an outside back – and given the club’s love for Bert Hopoate that decision may also be made – there’s not many needs that require addressing.

All in all if true it’s a very good signing for Canberra. It’s not often you can get a first grade quality half on the side to be your safety blanket as you venture into a new movement. The Raiders may have just done that.

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