Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has received a four-match suspension from the NRL judiciary due to a tackle that resulted in a broken leg for Penrith’s Nathan Cleary.
Crossland appeared in front of the judiciary on Tuesday after admitting guilt to the charge of dangerous contact, where he learned about the consequences of his actions.
As a result of the suspension, he will be sidelined for this Sunday’s NRL grand final and will also miss New Zealand’s three pool matches in the upcoming World Cup.
The incident occurred in the 36th minute of Newcastle’s preliminary final victory over the Panthers when Crossland executed a hip drop tackle on Cleary.
Cleary sustained a compound fracture along with a dislocated ankle due to the tackle.
During the hearing, Crossland was represented by barrister James McLeod, who argued for a lesser ban of two to three weeks, highlighting Crossland’s clean disciplinary record and his assertion that he did not intend to injure anyone.
Crossland acknowledged that his tackle execution was flawed but emphasized that his aim was not to cause harm.
The NRL, however, advocated for a four-game suspension, stating that Crossland’s actions demonstrated a lack of proper care and caution, despite being accidental.
Expressing his remorse, Crossland reached out to Cleary following the incident, stating, “I called him yesterday. It was obviously a tough phone call.” He also contacted Cleary’s father, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.
Crossland recounted that Nathan responded kindly, urging him not to worry and assuring him that he understood it was an accident. “He was such a gentleman, he told me to stop saying sorry,” Crossland said. “He’s my favorite player in the game by a mile. He’s the best player in the game and I look up to him.”
Reflecting on the situation, Crossland described it as one of the lowest points of his life. His barrister presented evidence of abusive messages directed at Crossland on social media in the days following the incident. “It’s killing me; it’s been the worst couple of days of my life,” Crossland stated. “It’s meant to be the best week of my life, and it’s been far from it.”
This decision raises the possibility of 19-year-old Diesel Hagan making his NRL debut in the grand final, a feat that has not occurred in 90 years. The last player to achieve this was Eddie Lockhart for Balmain in 1936.
In Crossland’s absence, Harrison Graham is expected to step into a starting role for the Knights during the grand final, with other candidates for the position including Thomas Cant and Jermaine McEwen.
