 On his return to Australia in 1992 he was appointed junior development and recruitment officer with the Parramatta Eels.In 2004 Cleal returned to Manly in a similar role, but moved to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2012 (along with Manly coach Des Hasler) following the Sea Eagles 2011 NRL Grand Final win over the New Zealand Warriors.In 1984 he was the runner up in the Rothman's Medal and was named as the Dally M Second Rower of the year.