In an off-season blow to the Greens, Cleal has quit the club to head to the north coast to be closer to his famous father Les Cleal.

Tumbarumba captain-coach Aaron Sweeney yesterday confirmed Joss Cleal had ended his two-year stint with the hills club.

Sweeney revealed Cleal was likely to play in the Group Two premiership in 2014.

“He (Cleal) won’t be playing here (Tumbarumba),” Sweeney said.

“He’s gone up to Coffs Harbour to be closer to his dad.”

A legendary rugby league figure, Les Cleal was originally from Warialda and still lives on the north coast.

Sporting bush ranger-like beards, Les Cleal and his brother Noel were a sensation at Eastern Suburbs and Manly in the 1980s.

As much as Noel Cleal’s career blossomed in Sydney, brother Les created his own special niche in bush football, including steering Tumbarumba to a Group 13 title.

Following in the footsteps of his famous father, Joss Cleal moved to Tumbarumba in 2012 and made an impact with the Greens.

The young five-eighth struck top form in 2013 and seemed set to be a key player for the Greens next year.

Although adamant Tumbarumba has the players to cover the loss of Cleal, Sweeney admits the playmaker will be missed.

“He was playing good this year,” Sweeney said.

“I’m sure the (Tumbarumba) board has someone in mind to step up.”

Losing Cleal comes hot on the heels of the signing of Southern Inland Rugby Union star Jason Lagaali.

Powerful Lagaali jumped codes last month to link with the Greens and is tipped to be a runaway hit in 2014.

Likewise, Sweeney has high hopes for Sam Everett, who has re-signed with the Greens.

Looking ahead to next year, Sweeney said the goal for Tumbarumba was to make the finals.

“I’ve heard the town will go crazy if it happens,” he said.

“There’s a long way to go, and we will be taking every game as it comes next year.”

With Tumbarumba still in negotiations with several other players, Sweeney believes there is definitely scope for the team to rise away from the bottom of the table.

He is also confident a session with Group Nine referee’s director Tony Fletcher early in the new year will be an advantage for the Greens players.

Temora, meantime, has missed out on signing a new coach, but the club is still hoping to finalise a replacement for Anthony Chambeyron before Christmas.