Jharal Yow Yeh Offers Hope to Nathan Cleary Amidst Ankle Injury Concerns

Former Broncos player Jharal Yow Yeh has shared a message of hope for Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary following a severe ankle injury sustained during a preliminary final match. Cleary suffered a compound fracture of his left ankle during the team's 22-14 loss, after already playing with a broken right foot. The injury occurred from a hip-drop tackle by Newcastle's Phoenix Crossland.

Yow Yeh, who experienced a career-altering ankle injury in 2012, expressed empathy for Cleary's situation and suggested the injury might not be as dire as feared. "I actually don't think it'll be as bad as what a lot of people think," Yow Yeh stated. He cautioned, however, that his optimism was based on limited information about the full extent of Cleary's injury.

The incident brought back memories for Yow Yeh of his own catastrophic injury that led to 10 operations, nearly two years of rehabilitation, and the premature end of his career at age 24. "I just feel so bad for him. I know that feeling. I know where he's at when you're sitting there and you're just helpless," he said.

He urged caution against drawing direct comparisons between his injury and Cleary's, noting that his own involved a dislocation of the ankle joint. "Mine was a dislocation of my ankle joint. So I think a lot of people are trying to throw similarities. I'm not sure if he's done that," Yow Yeh explained. He emphasized that the precise nature of the fracture and any accompanying damage would be critical factors in recovery.

Physiotherapist Brien Seeney, known as NRL Physio, also highlighted the potential complications of an open fracture. While typical recovery for ankle fractures and dislocations is three to four months, Seeney noted on X that Cleary's injury, due to the bone piercing the skin, increases infection risk and could complicate the recovery timeline. "The open nature of the injury increases the uncertainty here and it might not be so clear cut," Seeney wrote, adding that a surgical washout would be necessary to mitigate infection risk.

Yow Yeh pointed to Cleary's access to trusted medical specialists in Sydney as a positive factor. "He's got everyone that the club would trust in the vicinity," he said, expressing confidence that numerous surgeons would be eager to assist the Panthers' playmaker. Cleary's role as a kicker was also noted as a point of difference, potentially impacting the demands on his ankle upon return to professional football.