Fresh off another act of blunt-force artistry, there can be no doubt that Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte has been the best forward in the NRL in 2026. 

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary urges trolls to stop abusing Phoenix Crossland online over the tackle that broke his leg, saying it was a "complete accident" and confirming the Knights hooker had apologised.

Somewhere between Newcastle’s 12-man heroics, Nathan Cleary leaving in an ambulance and thousands of Knights fans losing their minds, rugby league reminded us what sport is meant to feel like. Mark Reason

The punishment handed to Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland following his nasty hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary continues to be debated.

The worst fears for Nathan Cleary’s future have been raised as the game’s best player starts his recovery from a shocking broken leg suffered in the preliminary final loss to the Knights.

Nathan Cleary thanks supporters after surgery on his badly broken ankle, writing "I'll be back" in an upbeat Instagram post. Meanwhile, Billy Slater questions the NRL over rule-changes that he says led to the incident that saw Cleary injured.

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has lifted the lid on a ‘disappointing’ group of people that have continued to ‘abuse’ him over the years. Liam O'Loughlin

Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans says it was “really difficult” to watch Nathan Cleary suffer a catastrophic injury in Sunday’s preliminary final, with the Roosters star sending his love and thoughts to Cleary’s family.

Nathan Cleary’s leg was held straight as he was taken from the field on Sunday to reduce the risk of cutting off the blood supply to his foot. Christian Nicolussi

Sandon Smith's two tries in the NRL preliminary final didn't just win Newcastle the game, it earned the Knights halfback a share of history alongside the club's greatest ever player.