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Nathan Cleary out after compound ankle fracture; tackler referred to NRL judiciary

sportsSep 28, 20263036

Penrith half Nathan Cleary suffered a compound fracture to his left ankle in the 36th minute of the preliminary final after Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland landed on his lower left leg during a hip drop tackle; Cleary has since had surgery and posted from hospital saying "I'll be back." Referee Gerard Sutton sent Crossland off, explaining Crossland "initially he's up high, he makes a definite action to twist" and "comes down on the leg with weight, there's extreme risk of serious injury. You're off." Knights back rower Francis Manuleleua had wrapped Cleary high as the tackle occurred and signalled for medical attention when the injury was immediately visible. The match review committee referred Crossland straight to the NRL judiciary, leaving him long odds to play in the grand final after Newcastle's 22, 14 comeback win that put the club into its first men's NRL grand final in 25 years. The article notes a recent precedent: Dragons forward Ryan Couchman was sent to the judiciary and suspended four games earlier this season for a hip drop that ended Parramatta's J'Maine Hopgood's campaign, while the league previously did not cite Broncos hooker Cory Paix for a similar leg-breaking tackle on Manly's Siosiua Taukeiaho.

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