The 23-year-old pivot will captain-coach Warialda Wombats in their return to the Group 19 rugby league fields this season.

The son of Warialda legend Les Cleal and nephew of Manly and Australian Kangaroo star Noel Cleal has returned home to lead the Wombats.

He also has a former Moree and Canterbury star in Ewen “Panda” McGrady as his second grade coach to help out.

The Wombats announced Cleal’s  signing at Saturday’s successful sign-on day at the Commercial Hotel in Warialda.

A good turnout of between 25-30 players signing on, with more to follow, ensures the Wombats will be competitive in their return under president Adrian Kellett and his young committee.

“It is looking real good, very promising,” Les Cleal said.

“One of the best things about the committee is they are all young. All under 30 I reckon.

“It’s been unbelievable how many other people turned up too. 

“They’re all glad to have footy back. 

“It’s great for the town and we’ll have a real family atmosphere too.”

Cleal said the sponsorship support for the club had been outstanding as well, with major sponsors, Wendy and Craig Bogt at the Commercial Hotel, going out of their way to provide financial backing to ensure the Wombats’ return is a success.

“They have got right behind us and the team,” Les Cleal said.

“They are the club’s biggest supporters.”

Les Cleal is also synonymous with success at Warialda.

As a teenager he played in the 1973 side that won the Group 5 (now 19) premiership.

Then he captain-coached in 1980 when the likes of Ashley Barnett, Robbie Griese and the Reardon brothers were star players.

He then coached the Wombats to another premiership in 1996.

Now his son, Joss, has taken over the mantle.

“He’ll go all right,” Les Cleal said.

“He gets on with everyone too.”

It is an exciting time for Joss, who turned 23 on January 1.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Joss Cleal said.

“We had a pretty good turn- out at the sign-on day. 

“We’ve got a few more coming too,” he said of player recruitment.

Joss went to school in Goondiwindi but did play a season for the Wombats as an 18, alternating between juniors and first grade that season before heading south where he’s played the last three seasons with Tumbarumba in Group 9.

“It’s a little bigger than Warialda,” he said.

“They might have spent $70,000 on the club last season but couldn’t compete against Albury, which spent about $450,000 they reckon.”

Joss played much of the season at hooker, enjoying the new role, but can play anywhere.

“It depends on what happens here,” he said.

“But I’ll play either  six (five-eighth), seven (half), nine (hooker) or one (fullback). I don’t mind.”