For 81 games, a comforting sight for Ipswich Jets fans was that of clever half Josh Cleeland and his head gear.
You knew what you were going to get for 80 minutes and you wanted to watch.
However, Cleeland’s troublesome knee has managed to do what plenty of defenders couldn’t and that’s stop him on the field.
“The doctor made the decision for me, which makes me sad because I love playing for the Jets and I think I could play longer," Cleeland said of his retirement from the game.
“I have done it for so long, I told the boys last week that I just couldn’t keep playing.
“I told the Jets boys and then had to go to Rockhampton for work, so that took my mind off it.”
While Jets fans will be disappointed to see such a talent forced from the game, the Cleeland story could have come to a stop many times before in an Intrust Super Cup career where he made his debut for his hometown team in Round 3, 2014, against Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
A West End Bulldogs junior and Ipswich Jet Colts player, Cleeland overcame three years out the game with a serious knee injury to played 80 Cup games; winning both the premiership and the NRL State Championship in 2015.
In a storied career, Cleeland also captained the XXXX Queensland Residents in 2019 to a 42-22 win where he scored one try and kicked six goals and one field goal to make his mark on his only appearance in a maroon jumper.
Cleeland tried his luck in Sydney and again succeeded, crowning his time at the Bulldogs with a premiership in the NSW Cup competition and adding another NRL State Championship title along the way, claiming player of the match honours in a big 42-18 win over Redcliffe Dolphins.
Performing well in big games will be Cleeland’s legacy.
“The highlight was the 2015... I am an Ippy boy and to win a premiership with the Jets is above everything else,” Cleeland said.
“Playing for the Bulldogs and playing for Queensland was outstanding and captaining Queensland is something I never thought I would do, but to win for Ipswich... that’s going to make me smile forever.”
Cleeland’s former captain and current coach Keiron Lander celebrated the half's contribution to the team and shared the value and courage Cleeland provided the Jets and Cup.
“I loved playing with him, loved it,” Lander said.
“I hope his focus is on what he did achieve, not what he thinks he could have achieved.
“He won two premierships, he was in NRL systems, he won two state titles and captained Queensland.
“He was great for us in 2015, we had complete confidence in him and he was on the left-hand side and that step and his defence was outstanding.
“He’s been a joy to coach this season.
“He’s a genuine bloke and an Ipswich footballer... that says everything.”
Cleeland’s halves partner for a long time at the Jets was Dane Phillips, with the pair sharing a perfect combination of short kicking, long kicking, jink and step. The 2015 title-winning six and seven will forever share a special bond.
“Josh was a footballer, just a pure footballer, give him the ball and watch," Phillips said of his former team mate.
“He had instincts and understood the game and he’d be moving before the ball was and be there before it got there.
“Great running half, great long kicking game and just a great Jet and bloke.
“Off the field, he was great fun too.”
For Jets chairman Steven Johnson, Cleeland's story was about perseverance and of a local junior achieving big things.
“JC got hurt in Colts and went away and put on a lot of weight, but then when he realised he still loved the game and wanted to play he came back to the Jets,” Johnson said.
“He worked hard and a lot of it was done on his own.
“It’s a great story, but more importantly it’s an Ipswich story.
“Josh wins a premiership playing for his local team, wins a state title and goes to Sydney and should have played NRL.
“He captains Queensland and plays with tremendous courage.
“His tackle on Glenn Hall in the grand final was huge, the Blackhawks had the overlap and Cleeland comes up with a great tackle that cuts him in half.
“This isn’t a sad story, it’s the sensible thing, his knee means he can hardly walk for days after a game.
“He’s provided great moments for Ipswich and he can walk away proud of his career. We are proud of him.”
The headgear may be hung up on the hook, but the comfort and excitement he provided will make Jets fans smile and remember Cleeland forever.
