Family and cricket were the loves that helped Brodie Cleal settle into a new existence in Gunnedah when his parents separated. He was 11 years old at the time, and had been living on a cotton farm outside Moree - an experience he remembers fondly
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His mother brought him to Gunnedah, where family awaited.
"Moving away from all my mates that I knew all my life, right through primary school, and moving to a new place, was obviously traumatic for a young fella trying to find mates," he said. "[But I] got some new mates fairly quickly and adjusted to the Gunnedah life fairly quickly."
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Cricket has been a source for many of those friendships. He has played the game since he was a young boy. And now, on the cusp of his 21st birthday, the car salesman emits an air of contentment with his life and his game.
He is thankful for having cricket to lean on. "Obviously, I did meet a lot of people and a lot of lifelong friends through cricket, especially after moving to Gunnedah.
"So, absolutely, it [cricket] would have had a lot to do with it [helping him adjust to life in Gunnedah]."
The Court House player - an off-spinner allrounder - made his first-grade debut two seasons back. But last season was his first full year in the top grade. He has progressed through the junior representative ranks in Gunnedah and is now playing War Veterans Cup.
He is a "big believer" in club loyalty, which is good news for Court House. And he is a big believer in himself.
"Absolutely," he replied when asked if he was happy with his game. "I think I'm seeing the ball a lot better with my batting this year. I feel like I've gone on the upwards with that one this year.
"And I'm a little bit happier with my bowling this year as well. Just all round with my cricket this year, I'm really happy with my game at the moment."
Second-placed Court House and third-placed Kookaburras commence a two-day game at Kitchener Park on Saturday. Cleal is not playing due to a personal commitment, but he believes that Court House needs to string together more partnerships.
He said: "Our problem lately is that we've lost wickets in clumps ... So, if we can form a couple of partnerships with the batting and bowl well early, I think we'll be a force to be reckoned with and be a bit of a challenge."
