Rising Knight Adam Clydsdale says he’s thoroughly enjoying starting at hooker, a role he has dreamt of playing since he was a starry-eyed youngster growing up in the Hunter heartland of Scone.
Clydsdale commenced the season on the bench, but moved to the run-on side in Round 15 following coach Wayne Bennett's decision to shift skipper Kurt Gidley to the halves and regular No.7 Tyrone Roberts to the bench.
It's a move that's worked wonders for the Knights, who have won all three matches since the positional relocation.
For Clydsdale, running on at hooker is an honour he holds extremely close to his heart.
"Playing starting hooker has been very tough, especially starting the game when everyone is really fresh," Clydsdale told reporters after training on Wednesday.
"You've also got to rip in from the start, but I’m really enjoying the challenge and hopefully more of it to come.
"It's great getting into the game earlier, so it’s been good."
A major part of Clydsdale's success has been the guidance of Club legend and former No.9 Danny Buderus.
Asked about the influence of Buderus, Adam couldn't speak highly enough of the well respected retired great.
"Danny is always a great help no matter what it is," he enthuses.
"I do a lot of vision with him and we keep in contact a fair bit, so he has helped me out a lot."
Buderus is equally enthusiastic about working alongside Clydsdale, a young player he rates highly.
"The way Adam starts a game and sets a tone for the team in the middle has been impressive," Buderus says.
"He is also good defensively, so he sets the rhythm defensively for the team. I think that's his strong point along with his crisp service and making decisions."
As good as Clydsdale has been this season, Buderus says there is still plenty of improvement left in the gifted 21-year-old.
He says this starts with greater talk and taking charge of the team when they need him the most.
"Adam's communication and bossing the team is now the big thing," he explains.
"That's what we really want to see out of him and that will come with maturity.
"This year has been a big learning curve for him and it will just make him hungrier for success. It has been such a tough year for everyone involved, even the guys with 200 plus games are learning from this year.
"So it's a big year for Adam to kick-off his career in first grade and I'm sure it will make him a stronger player."
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