NRL: Nathan Cleary Has Second Surgery, Panthers Eye Round 1-4 Return

2 hours ago - The Sporting Base

Nathan Cleary has undergone a second operation, this time on his right foot, and Panthers Group CEO Andrew Hill says the surgeon expects the champion halfback back between Rounds 1 and 4 of the 2027 NRL season if his recovery goes to plan.

Cleary suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his left ankle in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle last Sunday, after Phoenix Crossland’s hip-drop tackle, and had surgery on that ankle earlier in the week, Nine reported.

He was already carrying a right foot fracture into that match, and that injury has now been repaired too. news.com.au described it as a stress fracture. Cleary posted a photo to Instagram on Saturday from a hospital bed, with both legs immobilised, as he watched the Prime Minister’s XIII play Papua New Guinea.

What Andrew Hill said

Speaking to 2GB‘s Continuous Call Team on Saturday, Hill said the surgeon was “very happy”.

“The indication from the surgeon is everything going to plan, Round 1 to Round 4 we’re expecting him to be back,” Hill said, per 2GB.

Hill added that recovery times are hard to predict these days, telling the program: “What used to take three months is now three weeks.”

World Cup already off the table

The injury has already ruled Cleary out of Australia’s Rugby League World Cup campaign later this month, as The Sporting Base reported after the preliminary final. He accepted his first Dally M Medal from home on Wednesday night.

Crossland accepted a four-match ban for the tackle and misses tonight’s grand final against the Roosters at Accor Stadium (7:30pm AEDT), with Harrison Graham starting at hooker for the Knights, according to NRL.com. Cleary has publicly defended Crossland, calling the tackle an accident.

What we don’t know yet

Penrith have not released a detailed rehabilitation timeline beyond Hill’s comments, and the Round 1 to Round 4 window depends on Cleary’s recovery going to plan.

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