Brothers’ coach Leon Cleal honoured to manage women’s rep side in May, as his A-grade side continue preparations for 2021 season

BROTHERS’ premiership-winning coach Leon Cleal was honoured to be given the coaching reins of the NT women’s representative side set to head to the Gold Coast in late May.

Brothers’ A-grade coach Leon Cleal will manage the NT women’s rep side in May. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

BROTHERS’ premiership winning coach Leon Cleal was honoured to be given the coaching reins of the NT women’s representative side set to head to the Gold Coast in late May.

The coach was originally set to mentor the under-18s rep side in 2020, but due to COVID the team was unable to travel interstate.

But after successful stints as coach of the City rep side, Territory All Stars and Brothers’ A-grade side in 2020, Cleal announced himself as one of the premier coaches in the Top End.

From an initial squad of 50 female players the coach will take 20 of the Territory’s best to the Gold Coast from May 18.

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“It’s a great honour. I’m proud and happy to have been given this chance,” Cleal told the NT News.

“The women’s game is really growing up here with some solid foundations being built to grow the game and to be a part of that is a great honour.

“Going away will be a challenge for the girls facing teams from interstate, but I’m hoping we can get the best out of talent.

“There’s a good sprinkling of talent across all our clubs in the league with plenty of speed, skill and size to give us all the makings of a quality side.”

Back in the Brothers’ camp, Cleal’s squad is enjoying increasingly intensive sessions, with players making returns from wet-season sport commitments in rugby union and the NTFL.

Captain Aaron Pollard is a current injury concern for the early rounds, while 80-minute prop Nick Sauer has early-season work commitments.

However, young half Thomas Clarke continues to improve, and with Jonas and Caleb Niki and Daniel Warren, he is proving to be an important leader in the squad.

“We’re starting to build some momentum in training, though some players are still missing as they’re involved in other sports,” Cleal said.

“The enthusiasm at training has been second to none with each session being intense.

“Thomas Clarke in particular has really gone to another level in training and has shown plenty of leadership for someone at such a young age.

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“Everyone is eager to get back into action and, though it may take us a couple of weeks to get back into the flow, we expect this to be another really competitive season.”