When it comes to champion hookers, you can't go past Newcastle Knights legend Danny Buderus.
Buderus proved himself to be one of the game's best ever No.9s in an illustrious career with the Knights, NSW and Australia spanning over a decade.
Now happily retired and working with the Club, Buderus spends a lot of time helping guide the Knights' next generation of stars.
One of those players is emerging hooker Adam Clydsdale - a bloke Buderus believes has all the attributes to achieve great things in the NRL.
"I’m really excited about the prospects of Adam not only in the hooking role, but also as a clubman and a leader of the Club," Buderus enthuses.
"He has got all the credentials, so he is tough and he has got a great head on his shoulders and he is humble.
"I’m really looking forward to seeing him be a part of the Club for a long time."
Clydsdale will play hooker for the Knights at this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines and Buderus has encouraged the Scone-born product to relax and enjoy the moment.
"There is going to be a bit of space there for him," Buderus added.
"I’ll be trying to talk to him as well to just focus on the little things.
"You don’t want to go out there and overplay your hand too much.
"He is just starting out, so he should go in nice and relaxed and just enjoy the weekend and have a bit of fun.
"That’s the biggest thing that the weekend is all about fun, having a good look at some skilful players and not getting too uptight about the whole thing."
On the back of consecutive pre-seasons with the NRL squad, Clydsdale is focused on adding to his two NRL games played thus far.
Buderus has no doubts this will happen for the Club's rising star in 2014, especially if he can gain more exposure around the top grade team environment.
"Adam is at a stage now where he has worked hard," he says.
"He has had two big pre-seasons with the top squad, so he is right amongst it with the camaraderie within the group.
"But he still needs to experience something with the group.
"So that’s some sort of experience on the field, whether it is a come-from-behind victory or a great game.
"Then I can just see his confidence go sky high."
Buderus says he has been impressed by Clydsdale at training, especially his attention to detail in drills.
"Adam has been good with the little subtleties that he is getting into his game, like playing square and his passing is going great," he says.
"He has had a really big pre-season, so defence will be the big thing for him now.
"It’s just getting confident and working out how he can tackle these bigger and quicker guys.
"But skill wise he is right on the money.”
It's high praise for Clydsdale from Buderus, but it's on the mark according to the Knights' legend No.9.
