Cleary's shattered ankle: bone pierced skin, emergency surgery

Shocking details of Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary's injury have emerged after Sunday's preliminary final. Penrith medical staff helped paramedics keep Cleary's leg straight as he was taken from the field to prevent cutting off blood supply to his foot. Several club sources described it as the worst leg break they had seen, likening the wound to a bullet wound due to the blood coming from Cleary's foot as he was moved onto a medicab. The double fracture was so severe that a bone protruded from the inside of his ankle. There were fears of major complications if he had not been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. Provided there are no complications, Cleary faces up to six months on the sideline. His father and coach Ivan Cleary revealed after the 22-14 loss that Cleary had also carried a broken right foot into the game and will need surgery on that as well.

Newcastle's Phoenix Crossland was sent off for the hip-drop tackle in the 35th minute but the Knights held on with 12 men to book a grand final berth. The match review committee referred Crossland straight to the judiciary without a grading, indicating a lengthy suspension that would rule him out of the grand final and the start of next season.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The injury removes Cleary, arguably the game's best player, from the grand final and potentially the 2027 State of Origin series.
Crossland's referral sets a severe precedent for hip-drop tackles, with the NRL's crackdown likely to produce a heavy suspension.
Newcastle's fairytale finals run now faces a major disruption with their hooker almost certainly out of the decider.

Background

Penrith and Newcastle played a tense preliminary final on Sunday at Accor Stadium, with the Knights winning 22-14 despite being reduced to 12 men after Crossland's send-off. The tackle on Cleary has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of hip-drop tackles, which the NRL has been attempting to stamp out through stricter penalties. Cleary started from the bench after carrying a foot injury from the previous finals match.

Key Perspectives

Penrith Panthers: The club faces the loss of their star halfback for up to six months, devastating their premiership defence. Cleary's injury required emergency surgery, with club sources emphasising the severity and the risk of vascular complications. Newcastle Knights: They face the grand final without their starting hooker. The club may argue that the tackle was not intentional and that Crossland's suspension is disproportionate, but the judiciary referral suggests a long ban. NRL Judiciary: The decision to send Crossland straight to the judiciary without a grading sends a clear message about hip-drop tackles. The tribunal will set a sentence that could have a deterrent effect across the league.

What to Watch

The judiciary hearing date and the length of Crossland's suspension.
Nathan Cleary's recovery timeline and whether he can return before the 2027 season.
The grand final between Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters, and how the Knights perform without Crossland.

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