{
  "id": 10390273,
  "title": "'I'll be back': Cleary vows to return after surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ill-be-back-cleary-vows-to-return-after-surgery-10390273",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-28T07:02:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-28/sport-nathan-cleary-thanks-supporters-after-surgery/107204796"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nathan Cleary, a star halfback for the Penrith Panthers, has vowed to return to the game after a severe ankle injury sustained during a recent match. The 28-year-old, who posted an Instagram photo from the hospital with his left leg bandaged and a smiling expression, thanked supporters for their overwhelming support. The injury, a compound fracture of his left ankle, occurred during the Panthers' preliminary final loss to the Newcastle Knights, effectively ending Cleary's participation in the Kangaroos' World Cup campaign. The injury has been a significant blow to the Panthers, who were leading 14-6 at halftime before falling 22-14. Cleary's father and coach, Ivan Cleary, expressed his emotional distress upon witnessing his son's condition. Billy Slater, the coach of Newcastle Knights, suggested that the tackling rules in the game contribute to such injuries, citing the responsibility of the tackler and the potential for changes in rules to influence player behavior and safety. The NRL judiciary will decide Crossland's punishment, which could result in a significant ban and impact his World Cup participation.",
  "summary": "Nathan Cleary has vowed to return to action after undergoing surgery on his badly broken left ankle. The Penrith Panthers halfback posted a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram, thanking supporters for their messages and saying \"I'll be back\".\n\nCleary suffered a horrific compound fracture of his ankle during the Panthers' NRL preliminary final defeat to Newcastle, which has ruled him out of the Kangaroos' World Cup campaign. According to Billy Slater, the incident was partly caused by tackling rules that led to the way Phoenix Crossland approached the tackle that injured Cleary.\n\nCrossland will face the judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to play in the NRL grand final. Cleary's injury has been described as a horror blow that has ended his 2023 season and will keep him sidelined for at least six months.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "'I'll be back': Cleary's admission after surgery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ill-be-back-clearys-admission-after-surgery",
        "published": "2026-09-28T06:39:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "'I'll be back': Cleary's admission after surgery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ill-be-back-clearys-admission-after-surgery-10387408",
        "published": "2026-09-28T06:39:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "'I'll be back': Cleary vows to return after surgery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ill-be-back-cleary-vows-to-return-after-surgery",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:02:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}