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“But the form of the guys we had playing Queensland Cup [Clifford and Tom Duffy] was just irresistible. Toddy didn’t have a choice – they were going so well, when our NRL team had been a little up and down.
“It’s a big call for a coach to make, and a brave one, and it’s not always the safe option to make a call like that, and I know Toddy had plenty of sleepless nights before and after.
“But I’ll give Chad credit, he’s embraced his role in the squad over the last month and been really good in the preparation areas for our team, and making sure Cliffo and Tommy Dearden and Robbo [Reece Robson] are well prepared to play.”
The bold call to bring Clifford and Dearden together had North Queensland peaking on the eve of the finals – scoring 124 points in their past three outings.
And their union spells danger for the way they could bring out the best in the team’s attacking linchpin.
Scott Drinkwater announced himself as one of the game’s most electric fullbacks during the Cowboys’ 2022 run.
But Luck has noticed an evolution in the dynamic No.1’s game.
After becoming renowned as an enigmatic “gunslinger”, Drinkwater has become more selective and patient, free to sniff out his opportunities as Clifford and Dearden have sharpened the attack.
But his greatest test will take place on Saturday, when he wages a heated battle with the Knights’ star No.1, Kalyn Ponga.
“I think he’s getting more controlled with his critical involvements. Drink’s one of the most gifted attacking players in the comp – he sees things a play ahead, and he’s got speed and skill that allows him to exploit opportunities,” Luck said.
“But what we’ve continued to work on is him being selective with that, and not being bored with continuing to do what works. If he did something and it worked in the first 10 minutes, he doesn’t have to go away from it and dig for the next trick.
“Drink has learnt that, he understands what a good blueprint is to playing consistently competitive football. He might not be the gunslinger of a couple of years ago, but he’s no less effective.”
