Hasler's 'proud' right-hand man leaves Manly

1 year ago 54

Noel Cleal, Des Hasler's right-hand antheral for the bulk of his coaching career, has retired from his station arsenic Manly recruitment guru.

Cleal, 64, worked with Hasler during the coach's archetypal stint astatine the Sea Eagles, earlier pursuing him to the Bulldogs and backmost to Manly.

He combined with Hasler to steer the Sea Eagles to the 2008 and 2011 NRL titles.

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His status comes 3 months aft Hasler was sacked arsenic Manly coach, which led to Anthony Seibold stepping into the blistery seat.

A powerhouse centre and second-rower affectionately known arsenic "Crusher", Cleal played 129 games for the Sea Eagles betwixt 1983 and 1989, and was a subordinate of the 1987 premiership-winning squad nether manager Bob Fulton.

Sea Eagles main enforcement Tony Mestrov had benignant words for Cleal pursuing his status decision.

"I cognize however arrogant and honoured Noel is to person been capable to walk 20 of those seasons astatine Manly, having made the finals run connected 17 occasions arsenic a subordinate and manager,'' Mestrov said.

"The ones that basal retired for him are the 1987 premiership arsenic a player, captaining the Sea Eagles successful 1986 and moving intimately with Des Hasler to triumph the 2008 and 2011 NRL premierships.

"From a idiosyncratic view, a item for Noel was being capable to play with his member Les connected the Sydney Cricket Ground (for Eastern Suburbs) successful 1982.

"As for his grounds successful typical football, helium was honoured to play for City, Country, New South Wales and Australia.

"His vocation besides saw him play bush footy for 5 years, winning 3 premierships, and a stint successful England arsenic a subordinate and past arsenic a coach, winning a premiership successful 1992 with Hull."

Cleal is present looking guardant to settling connected the Mid North Coast of NSW with his woman Michelle.

"Having spent endless hours watching NRL, little grades, inferior reps, schoolboy carnivals and bush footy, Noel is besides going to walk clip with his grandchildren — Cooper, Nash and Sonny — watching their sporting achievements," Mestrov added.

"The Sea Eagles sincerely convey Noel for each helium has done for our nine and congratulate him connected a fantastic career.

"We privation him bully luck successful the future."

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