NRL finals updates: Cleary’s fracture horror as Newcastle star sent off

The Knights are becoming their own worst enemy.

They conceded a penalty through Fletcher Sharpe and then the Panthers had attacking territory as Lindsay Smith charged through the line and stretched out to score.

Penrith now lead 14-6.

Oh this is a shocking sight.

Nathan Cleary was taken down by a hip-drop from Phoenix Crossland and Cleary’s lower leg was completely bent out of shape.

“Oh no, it shouldn’t be at that angle. You can see the reaction of the players, whether they heard a crack. This does not look good,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.

You get the feeling Crossland could cop the maximum punishment.

“He’ll be very lucky not to be sent off here,” Johns said.

Brenton Speed added: “It is heart-breaking what we are seeing here”.

Cleary is now being taken off in a medicab with Jack Cogger replacing him.

“It’s a sad sight,” Gould said.

And now as expected Crossland has been sent off. He gets stared down from Liam Henry as he leaves too.

The Panthers have confirmed it’s a compound fracture to Cleary’s ankle. Panthers lead 8-6 with Blaize Talagi kicking the penalty.

Well the wheels were in motion for the Panthers there.

Greg Marzhew came up with an error in dangerous territory and the Panthers just did what they do.

Eventually Dylan Edwards went through a hole and beat multiple defenders.

However, it looks like there’s an obstruction despite the referee saying it was a defensive decision.

Ultimately, the replay showed Liam Martin ran to the outside shoulder of Phoenix Crossland and it’s rightly overturned.

Dylan Edwards looks like he has an injury concern.

Obviously he wouldn’t be at 100 per cent fitness at this time of the year, but it’s clear he can’t give it his all right now.

“He looks a bit hoppy on that right foot ... no power,” Andrew Johns said.

Nathan Cleary is on!

Jack Cogger has left the field with 15 minutes in the half.

“You can imagine the lift this is going to give his teammates,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.

Dom Young had problems last week and it’s the same again as he was spotted putting his lenses back in.

From the sideline, Brad Fittler says Nathan Cleary is looking fidgety, throwing the ball around.

“I think he is finding it hard to sit on the bench,” he said on Nine.

Both sides are up for this one!

Moses Leota knocked the ball on and Jermaine McEwen screamed in his face and let him know about it.

Leota took exception to that, as expected.

“If you let those two start, we’ll be here all night,” Phil Gould said on Nine.