Cleary's Horrific Injury: Panthers Star Requires Surgery on Both Feet
Panthers star Nathan Cleary will require surgery on both feet after suffering a horrific compound fracture to his left ankle and playing with a broken right foot in Sunday's preliminary final. The injuries could have long-term ramifications for Australia in the end-of-season Rugby League World Cup.
Nathan Cleary, the star halfback of the Panthers, will require surgery on both feet after suffering a horrific compound fracture to his left ankle and playing with a broken right foot in Sunday's preliminary final.
In the aftermath of the Panthers' 22–14 loss to Newcastle, coach and father Ivan Cleary revealed that his son had been battling a broken bone in his right foot, which he had been playing on. The injury was previously described as a "stress-related bone issue".
Cleary suffered the ankle injury in a hip-drop tackle from Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, which resulted in his ankle dislocating. Ivan Cleary confirmed that his son would need surgery for both injuries.
"He'll have to get the other foot done as well because that was broken as well," Ivan Cleary said. "That's why I was even more emotional with what happened to him because I knew what he went through to get himself right to play today."
The injuries to Cleary, as well as fellow Panthers stars Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo, could have long-term ramifications for Australia in the end-of-season Rugby League World Cup. Edwards played through a ruptured PCL, Yeo a ruptured pec, and Blaize Talagi came off with an Achilles rupture.
"He watched the game in the ambulance, but it made him feel worse probably," Ivan Cleary said. "I went and saw him at half-time and saw the whole crew and my family were in there. That was a bit hard, it was a bit emotional. But the show goes on."