Crusher Cleal

[Budgie]

From Weidler:

A section of Michael Chammas' deep dive into the Bulldogs has caused a considerable stir at Manly. It surrounds the role of former Sea Eagles great Noel "Crusher" Cleal. He is responsible for recruiting and identifying talent, but when he was at the dogs, then chair Ray Dib, singled him out when discussing the loss of faith in CEO Raelene Castle and her judgement when it came to then coach Des Hasler.

"She wanted to extend Des 22 months out from his contract end date," Dib said. "She also wanted to extend Cleal's contract when it was clear to all of us he was struggling to develop any players into first graders. He didn't reach any of his KPIs in four years. Des begged me to keep Cleal on board and Raelene backed him, but the board had lost trust in her judgement by then."

There are Manly elements also questioning Cleal. His colleague, Scott Fulton, has either discovered or recruited the majority of their top-30 players. I've been told Cleal's big move was getting Andrew Davey. He's whole hearted but not a big player in the Manly machine.

Cleal is a long-time Hasler favourite, so it will be interesting to see if he's challenged.

 

[manly al]

Would think that Crusher still has a reasonable network of contacts [ footy related and observers ] far and wide but some of them may have moved on and limited new ones . Thought that Crusher recruited that northern coast prospect Close and maybe that young Knights centre winger [ is it Fletcher - Myers ] Many of the pathways players seem to originate from the west or south western Sydney which seems to be the main consideration in recent times . Crusher could have a case just to be kept on for celebrity status

 

[swoop]

Time for Cleal to go. Scott Fulton seems to be doing good job. Cleal got sacked from the dogs because his recruitment and development of players was crap. I also recall another talent scout who was working with us was going to sign with the dogs but reneged on the deal because cleal signed with the dogs. I can't remember the name of the talent scout, but when asked why he reneged he said the Cleal was taking credit for players he scouted.

 

[manly al]

Time for Cleal to go. Scott Fulton seems to be doing good job. Cleal got sacked from the dogs because his recruitment and development of players was crap. I also recall another talent scout who was working with us was going to sign with the dogs but reneged on the deal because cleal signed with the dogs. I can't remember the name of the talent scout, but when asked why he reneged he said the Cleal was taking credit for players he scouted.

Was that Bruce Warick ? pretty handy winger in his time also i think

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

That has been obvious for some time. Cloel Neal is pretty much at retirement age. He seems like the new Peter Peters - someone the organisation might want to move on, however he has a friend or two in high places.

I suppose Hasler sees him as some sort of talisman.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Was that Bruce Warick ? pretty handy winger in his time also i think

Played for Norths in Bris - not sure if it is the same guy

 

[ALinda]

I also recall another talent scout who was working with us was going to sign with the dogs but reneged on the deal because cleal signed with the dogs. I can't remember the name of the talent scout, but when asked why he reneged he said the Cleal was taking credit for players he scouted.

Was that Bruce Warick ? pretty handy winger in his time also i think

I think you're referring to Dave Warwick who was our Recruitment Manager for many years and ended up at the Tigers.

As for Crusher, imo Des is fiercely loyal to him as well as a close friend and I'd be surprised if he left other than under his own terms.

 

[Budgie]

As for Crusher, imo Des is fiercely loyal to him as well as a close friend and I'd be surprised if he left other than under his own terms.

Makes me wonder how the relationship is between Des and Tooves nowadays.

 

[Stewbojevic]

We’re still paying Cleal’s salary to repay him for bringing Jamie Lyon to the club. Probably a few more years before we’ve paid that debt!!

 

[wombatgc]

We’re still paying Cleal’s salary to repay him for bringing Jamie Lyon to the club. Probably a few more years before we’ve paid that debt!!

I don’t think that was too much of a stretch to sign Killer tbh.
Crusher: If you come to Manly, we’ll go pig shooting once a month.
Jamie: Sign me up Crusher.

 

[sheridanstand78]

I read that deep dive into the demise of the Filth dogs and my contempt for Greenturd is even higher.

His and Dib's behaviour in September 2011 is something I will not forgive or forget!

They ruined our 2011 premiership win, pursuing Hasler during that finals series and signing him on the eve of the grand final. Their ethics were appalling and the win was soured when it was obvious that Des was leaving.

I also acknowledge that Manly made mistakes too and it caused really problems in the following seasons.

 

[manly al]

Played for Norths in Bris - not sure if it is the same guy

Looks like it is a different guy , the Bruce Warwick i can recall played i st grade Bears in Sydney and a top goal kicker and then norths devils but can just vaguely remember that .

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Looks like it is a different guy , the Bruce Warwick i can recall played i st grade Bears in Sydney and a top goal kicker and then norths devils but can just vaguely remember that .

yes he was a good goal kicker

 

[MadMarcus]

I think you're referring to Dave Warwick who was our Recruitment Manager for many years and ended up at the Tigers.

Yep, landed at the Tigers in 2017 charged with retaining the “big 4” - Tedesco, Moses, Woods and Brooks.

He doesn’t have to worry about anyone taking credit for his work anymore.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Yep, landed at the Tigers in 2017 charged with retaining the “big 4” - Tedesco, Moses, Woods and Brooks.

He doesn’t have to worry about anyone taking credit for his work anymore.

His aunt, Dionne, is much more famous.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

It doesn't matter. Scott Fulton is doing a great job and our development and recruitment is in great shape. Just another anti Manly article. Why read this ****e.

 

[The Indian]

This is how journo's plant the seeds - just mention something in passing now that's a minor minor story. If we start winning it'll be put on back burner. If we lose a couple more games there will be a story about there is divisions in the club etc etc rinse and repeat.

I must admit I've always been dubious about what Cleal actually does but I'm not there and Des will never leave a soldier behind so the old bloke has got a job for life no doubt with Des.

We've got bigger issues that Cleal anyway to worry about. The talent is already there in the juniors we can't keep em all let alone be recruiting extras.

 

[The Who]

Canterbury doesn't need a recruitment manager to develop players, just a creative accountant to pay overs for established players and a magician to hide the salary cap rorting from NRL officials..

 

[Eagle_since _73]

From Weidler:

A section of Michael Chammas' deep dive into the Bulldogs has caused a considerable stir at Manly. It surrounds the role of former Sea Eagles great Noel "Crusher" Cleal. He is responsible for recruiting and identifying talent, but when he was at the dogs, then chair Ray Dib, singled him out when discussing the loss of faith in CEO Raelene Castle and her judgement when it came to then coach Des Hasler.

"She wanted to extend Des 22 months out from his contract end date," Dib said. "She also wanted to extend Cleal's contract when it was clear to all of us he was struggling to develop any players into first graders. He didn't reach any of his KPIs in four years. Des begged me to keep Cleal on board and Raelene backed him, but the board had lost trust in her judgement by then."

There are Manly elements also questioning Cleal. His colleague, Scott Fulton, has either discovered or recruited the majority of their top-30 players. I've been told Cleal's big move was getting Andrew Davey. He's whole hearted but not a big player in the Manly machine.

Cleal is a long-time Hasler favourite, so it will be interesting to see if he's challenged.

I APPEAL to the REAL CLEAL to REVEAL his value to the club is a STEAL and he's still the REAL DEAL. It would be IDEAL if he could STEAL a player or two to HEAL the player gaps. Dont just hone into MEALs CLEAL, CONCEAL a new player DEAL would be UNREAL.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

It doesn't matter. Scott Fulton is doing a great job and our development and recruitment is in great shape. Just another anti Manly article. Why read this ****e.

You answered your own question. If Cleal is being paid handsomely to do not very much, then why is he still employed? Especially as Fulton appears to be the driving force behind the Club’s recruiting efforts.