Phoenix Crossland has accepted his fate before fronting the NRL judiciary for the hip drop tackle that shattered Nathan Cleary’s ankle. Simon Brunsdon

Ashley Klein pays the price for two contentious decisions in consecutive NRL finals games. Dan Walsh

The Newcastle Knights are expected to be without Phoenix Crossland for the NRL grand final after he pleads guilty at the judiciary over the tackle that snapped Nathan Cleary's leg.

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