Nathan Cleary faces surgery on both feet after compound ankle fracture

Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will require surgery on both feet after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his left ankle during the team’s 22–14 preliminary-final loss to Newcastle, coach Ivan Cleary said. Ivan Cleary also revealed that his son had entered the match with a broken bone in his right foot. The injury had previously been described by the club as a stress-related bone issue.

Nathan Cleary had been kept on the bench for the opening 25 minutes as Penrith tried to manage the problem. He later left the field after a hip-drop tackle by Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland. Crossland was sent off, while Cleary was taken away on a medicab.

Ivan Cleary said the need to operate on the other foot made the injury especially difficult for the family. He said Nathan had worked to make himself fit for the match despite the existing fracture. Penrith led 14–6 at half-time but ultimately lost 22–14.

The match also produced several other serious injuries for the Panthers. Dylan Edwards played with a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament, while Isaah Yeo suffered a ruptured pectoral muscle and will require surgery. Blaize Talagi sustained an Achilles rupture.

The injuries could affect Australia’s squad for the Rugby League World Cup scheduled for the end of the season. Yeo, who is the Kangaroos captain, was already returning from a previous pectoral injury and is now in doubt for the tournament.