Crossword Genius

Close game receives outstanding support, finally (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

secretive

'close' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'game receives outstanding support finally' is the wordplay.
'game' is an anagram indicator (solving anagrams is a game).
'outstanding' indicates putting letters inside (some letters standing outside or around others).
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'support' is 't'.
'receives' is an anagram of 'secreive'.
'secreive' placed around 't' is 'SECRETIVE'.

(Other definitions for secretive that I've seen before include "Tight-lipped, reticent" , "Unforthcoming" , "giving nothing away" , "Very private" , "Tending to hide things" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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