NATHAN Cleary suffered a broken ankle so gory it could not be showed on TV, leading to Phoenix Crossland being sent off in 12-man Newcastle’s history-making preliminary final win over Penrith.
Newcastle – who scored in the dying seconds via Sandon Smith when clinging grimly to a two-point lead – will play Sydney Roosters in the 2026 NRL grand final after scoring an emotional 22-14 win
Cleary had been benched after carrying a foot injury going into the the match and came on in the 26th minute.
He stepped going into the line in the 35th minute and Knights second rower Phoenix Crossland was involved in a tackle which saw him use his weight to bring the Australia half to the ground.
Immediately there was concern and broadcasters switched to a wide shot and cut off replays of the incident early.
Referee Gerard Sutton told Knights captain Kalyn Ponga: “Initially, he’s up high, he makes a definite action to twist, comes down on the leg with weight, there’s extreme risk of serious injury.”
Sutton then turned to Crossland, saying: “You’re off.” Crossland became on the second player sent off in an NRL finals series match.
Cleary – out of the World Cup – was given a painkilling device and the injured ankle cradled as he was carried off.
The penalty allowed Penrith to lead for the first time and then forward Lindsay Smith charged across to touch down.
Earlier, the underdog Knights shocked by scoring first, Bradman Best rushing past Blaize Talagi for a long-range try scored by back-rower Francis Manuleleua.
It was centre Talagi who responded by successfully chasing a kick into the Knights’ in-goal.
But after halftime Dom Young crossed for a trademark touchdown in the right corner and then in a tumultous and rare play, half Sandon Smith went a long way towards winning the match.
Awarded a penalty 35 metres out, Smith whispered to referee Gerard Sutton he would opt for the tap.
The Panthers’ backs were turned as he flashed past them to score near the posts, converting his own try to edge the 12-man Knights ahead by two.
With the Knights trying to hold the Panthers out for the final time in the final minute, Smith snatched an intercept and raced the length.
NEWCASTLE 22 (Smith Manulelua Young Smith tries Smith 2 goals) beat PENRITH 14 (Talagi Smith tries Talagi 2 Edwards goal) at Accor Stadium.
Teams:
PENRITH: Dylan Edwards; Tom Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Casey McLean, Brian To’o; Jack Cole, Jack Cogger; Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Liam Henry, Liam Martin, Scott Sorensen, Isaah Yeo. Res: Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali’i, Billy Phillips, Luke Garner, Freddy Lussick.
NEWCASTLE: Kalyn Ponga (c); Dom Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew; Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith; Tyson Frizell, Pheonix Crossland, Cody Hopwood, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Mat Croker. Res: Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch, Pasami Saulo, Dylan Lucas, Fletcher Hunt, Thomas Cant.
Referee: Gerard Sutton.
