Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary was seen being wheeled out of hospital shortly before the NRL grand final.
Cleary’s father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, helped the Dally M Medal winner into a waiting car outside a hospital in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.
The halfback suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his lower left leg and ankle during a tackle by Knights player Phoenix Crossland last Sunday, September 27.
He was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery that day.
Cleary followed the procedure with another round of operations for an existing fracture in his right foot.
He’d shared a photo from hospital on Saturday showing both legs in bandages.
Nathan Cleary (above) was seen leaving hospital following another round of surgery on Sunday afternoon
Cleary suffered injuries to his left leg and foot on top of an existing injury in his right foot
Cleary won his first Dally M Medal (above) while resting at his parents’ house between surgeries
Cleary was spotted leaving the hospital on Sunday afternoon alongside his father, Ivan.
Ivan revealed during the Dally M ceremony last week, on Wednesday, that his son was staying at the family home while recovering.
Cleary received his first Dally M Medal, the NRL’s highest award, while camped on his parents’ couch.
The 28-year-old was beamed into the ceremony at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, on Sydney Harbour, while his father watched from one of the tables inside.
‘I’d like to thank my parents and my family. They’ve done everything for me. They’ve sacrificed so much and put so much time and effort into me growing up,’ Cleary said.
‘This whole year I’ve actually been living at home with them because my house is getting fixed, so they’ve looked after me well this year, and I can’t thank them enough.
Cleary’s recovery could see him miss the beginning of the 2027 NRL season
Cleary thanked his loved ones while accepting the Dally M Medal from his parents’ couch on Wednesday night
‘I also want to say a big thank you to my partner as well. It’s tough doing long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved and that’s all I could ever ask for. She’s just amazing.’
Panthers Group CEO Andrew Hill told 2GB’s Continuous Call Team that Cleary could miss the start of the 2027 season due to his recovery.
‘The surgeon was very happy,’ Hill said.
‘The report was as good as we could have expected. He is at home with mum and dad, who are looking after him.
‘It’s a good question (when he will be back) because who knows these days… what used to take three months (to heal) is now three weeks.
‘The indication from the surgeon is, everything going to plan, round one to round four we are expecting him to be back.’
