Noel Cleal
Encyclopedia
Noel Harvey "Crusher" Cleal (born in Warialda, New South Wales
) is an Australian former rugby league
footballer who also had a successful coaching career. A destructive Second Rower for the Manly Sea Eagles, he also represented New South Wales
in the State of Origin Series
and the Australian national rugby league team
.
side to a country premiership in Queensland, and steered an undefeated Sawtell Panthers to a Clayton Cup and maiden premiership, then represented for New South Wales Northern Division against a touring Great Britain side
in 1979.
His Sydney career started with the Eastern Suburbs
Roosters in 1980 where he played at Centre. He had three seasons with the Roosters before following coach Bob Fulton
to Manly in 1983. Fulton switched Cleal to Second Row, a move which assisted Cleal's ascendancy to State and National representative honours. He tasted premiership success with Manly in 1987.
Following from a 1985-86 stint with the Widnes
club, Cleal returned to English rugby league in 1989 and saw out his career with Hull.
games between 1984 and 1988. Some of Cleal's best football was played at the State of Origin level, he was the NSW forward who troubled Queensland most at a time when the Blues were just beginning to match the passion of their interstate rivals. He is commonly known as the man who coined the inspirational phrase "Dare to Dream" which was an extract from the game and series winning pep talk given by him during half time of game 2 of the 1985 state of origin series.
Cleal played 8 Tests for Australia in 1985 and 1986 including the 1986 Kangaroo tour.
. Since 2004 he has been in a similar role with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
.
In 2000 Cleal was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his representative career for his country and state, and his supportive of Junior League at Local and regional level.
In 2005 he was named one of the 25 greatest ever players for NSW.
His son Kane
made his first grade debut with Manly in 2004. Kane is currently playing for Canterbury Bulldogs
in 2007.
Warialda, New South Wales
Warialda is a town in the Northwest Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia, in Gwydir Shire. Situated on the banks of the Warialda Creek, the town’s name means “Place of Wild Honey.” At the 2006 census, Warialda had a population of 1,206.- Transport :...
) is an Australian former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer who also had a successful coaching career. A destructive Second Rower for the Manly Sea Eagles, he also represented New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
in the State of Origin Series
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
and the Australian national rugby league team
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
.
Club career
Noel Cleal along with his brother Les came to Sydney first-grade rugby league having already established a name for himself in the country. He had captain-coached the WondaiWondai, Queensland
Wondai is a town in the South Burnett region of Queensland, Australia. The town is located to the south of the Bunya Highway, north west of the state capital, Brisbane. At the 2006 census, Wondai had a population of 1,402...
side to a country premiership in Queensland, and steered an undefeated Sawtell Panthers to a Clayton Cup and maiden premiership, then represented for New South Wales Northern Division against a touring Great Britain side
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
in 1979.
His Sydney career started with the Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
Roosters in 1980 where he played at Centre. He had three seasons with the Roosters before following coach Bob Fulton
Bob Fulton
Robert "Bob" Fulton AM is an Australian rugby league football identity. Fulton played, coached, selected for and has commentated on the game with great success at the highest levels and has been named amongst Australia's greatest rugby league players of the 20th century.As a player Fulton won...
to Manly in 1983. Fulton switched Cleal to Second Row, a move which assisted Cleal's ascendancy to State and National representative honours. He tasted premiership success with Manly in 1987.
Following from a 1985-86 stint with the Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
club, Cleal returned to English rugby league in 1989 and saw out his career with Hull.
Representative career
Cleal represented the NSW Blues in 12 State of OriginRugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
games between 1984 and 1988. Some of Cleal's best football was played at the State of Origin level, he was the NSW forward who troubled Queensland most at a time when the Blues were just beginning to match the passion of their interstate rivals. He is commonly known as the man who coined the inspirational phrase "Dare to Dream" which was an extract from the game and series winning pep talk given by him during half time of game 2 of the 1985 state of origin series.
Cleal played 8 Tests for Australia in 1985 and 1986 including the 1986 Kangaroo tour.
Post playing
As coach of Hull, Cleal took the club to British premiership victory in 1991. On his return to Australia in 1992 he was appointed junior development and recruitment officer with the Parramatta EelsParramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
. Since 2004 he has been in a similar role with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
.
Accolades
In 1984 he was the runner up in the Rothman's Medal competition. In 1985 was runner up as the Dally M Second Rower of the year.In 2000 Cleal was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his representative career for his country and state, and his supportive of Junior League at Local and regional level.
In 2005 he was named one of the 25 greatest ever players for NSW.
Matches played
| Team | Matches | Years | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 70 | 1980–1982 | 26 |
| Manly Warringah | 125 | 1983–1989 | 43 |
| Widnes | 16 | 1985–1986 | 12 |
| Hull | 31 | 1989–1990 | 15 |
| Country | 1 | 1987 | 1 |
| New South Wales | 12 | 1984–1988 | 3 |
| Australia (Tests) | 8 | 1985–1986 | 3 |
| Australia (World Cup) | 2 | 1985–1986 | 2 |
His son Kane
Kane Cleal
Kane Cleal is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.He will to play for NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2009 and 2010 seasons....
made his first grade debut with Manly in 2004. Kane is currently playing for Canterbury Bulldogs
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
in 2007.