THE rookie season of Albion Park-Oak Flats product Adam Clune with the St George Illawarra Dragons has been one of many high and lows.
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Clune, after making his debut in round four, has started at half for all of the next nine matches (missing round 11 with a concussion) - highlighting how impressive the 25-year-old has been.
Making his performances even more special is the inconsistent nature of the Red V - which saw them fall for the second time this season to the Roosters on Thursday.
"Obviously we wanted a better result last round [against the Roosters] and at this stage of the season, we definitely needed it," Clune said.
"There were some good parts to our game last week but our play pretty much optimised our season - very inconsistent across the 80 minutes.
"It was a disappointing result and that's the story of our season in a nutshell so far."
Clune, who's Dragons are 12th with a 4-9 record, has also had to deal with is the merry-go-round of halves partners over the past few months, including Ben Hunt, Tristan Sailor and Corey Norman - which has also featured numerous mid-game switches.
"Most of the time the switches happen we are aware of it as a spine and as a team," he said.
"It's not really a shock unless someone gets injured
"Personally, it doesn't impact my role too much, as I know the job I'm there to do for the team - as is whoever is playing five-eighth and hooker.
"I don't need to change my game too much at all if the spine around me is different - I'm comfortable regardless of who's playing there."
This week, Norman returns to the starting side, with Sailor - who's been impressive the past few rounds - resigned to a bench role.
"I get along with Tristan really well and spend plenty of time off the field with him, which helps our of-field combination," Clune said.
"It was really exciting to see him get solid game time last week, especially alongside me in the halves.
"Last year in Canterbury Cup, we played together but it was a different dynamic with him being at fullback and me being in the halves.
"He's a special player, that has a little bit of that x-factor and I love playing alongside him.
"He's got a strong running game and an ever-improving short kicking game, which has been evident the past few weeks.
"What his role is this week is up to the coaches but the most important thing for me is that I continue to put my best foot forward and help the side the best way I can."
Another aspect Clune and his teammates have had to deal with is the speculation about the future of Dragons coach Paul McGregor.
"In some respects, I'm playing for my future, as I've only just started playing first grade," he said.
"My focus is getting better each week and helping us getting results, which we haven't been able to do much lately.
"If everyone can focus on getting their jobs right, myself included, that will benefit the team and also the coach.
"The responsibility falls 110 per cent on the players - we've got a game plan the coaches give us each week and we're all comfortable with that.
"We've shown when we play out best footy, we can match it with anyone in this competition - we've only put one 80-minute performance together and that was against Manly.
"The teams at the top of the ladder have shown they can produce that form on a consistent basis.
"We play one of those sides in Parramatta this week - it's going to be a big challenge but I know the boys will be up for it."