Horrific broken ankle in Shute Shield

Kotoni Ale

Manly Marlins flanker Kotoni Ale has suffered a compound fracture of his ankle in a tackle during the Northern Beaches derby between Manly and Warringah Rats.

Running the ball with the tryline in sight, Ale's foot dug into the turf as he was tackled, causing the horrific injury.

Here's the reverse angle of the incident - which doesn't show the break itself.

Channel 7 Two made the right decision in refusing to replay the front angle, which showed the extent of the injury.

The famous Northern Beaches derby was stopped for just under an hour as two ambulances and a specialist stabilised Ale and took him from the field.

There were rumours of the match being abandoned, but it eventually resumed with Manly ahead 14-10.

Ale was taken straight to surgery on Saturday evening.

At first sight, it looked like a similar injury that Broncos back Jharal Yow Yeh sustained against the Rabbitohs in 2012.

Complications from that break eventually lead to Yow Yeh's retirement from rugby league.

Here's hoping Ale's own recovery doesn't lead to the same result.

The former St Augustine's pupil has played Australian age group rugby and was an influential member of the North Harbour Rays in last year's inaugural NRC season.

The cruel irony is Ale has played for both Warringah and Manly through his rugby career and is very highly regarded at both clubs.

(Photo: Karen Watson)

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