NRL finals 2026: Knights and Cleary injury

The story so far

The Newcastle Knights beat the Penrith Panthers 22-14 at Accor Stadium to reach the NRL grand final.^{27 Sep} Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle that caused a compound ankle fracture for Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.^{27 Sep} Crossland was referred directly to the NRL judiciary, pleaded guilty and was suspended for four matches.^{27, 29 Sep} The ban rules Crossland out of the grand final and the first three games of New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign.^{29 Sep}

Latest

Cleary won his first Dally M Medal from home after the injury, while Brisbane's Tamika Upton took her third NRLW player of the year award in four seasons and Warriors coach Andrew Webster was named NRL coach of the year.^{1 Oct} The Sydney Roosters then edged the Knights in the NRL grand final, which was described as a thriller.^{3 Oct}

What's next

Crossland is due to miss the first three games of New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign.^{29 Sep}

Key moments

1. 27 SepKnights beat Panthers 22-14 to reach the grand final
2. 27 SepCrossland sent off for hip-drop tackle; Cleary suffers compound ankle fracture
3. 29 SepCrossland pleads guilty and is banned for four matches
4. 1 OctCleary wins first Dally M Medal from home
5. 3 OctRoosters edge Knights in grand final thriller

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.