Phoenix Crossland set to miss NRL final after dangerous-tackle plea
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland is expected to miss the NRL grand final after agreeing to plead guilty to a dangerous-contact charge over the tackle that fractured Nathan Cleary’s leg. Crossland was sent off in Newcastle’s preliminary-final win, and a judiciary hearing was scheduled to determine his suspension.
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland is expected to miss the club’s first men’s grand final in 25 years after agreeing to plead guilty to a dangerous-contact charge. The charge relates to a tackle on Penrith player Nathan Cleary during Newcastle’s preliminary-final victory. Crossland was sent off in the 36th minute after the tackle left Cleary with a compound fracture.
A judiciary hearing was scheduled to determine the length of Crossland’s suspension. His guilty plea was expected to make a ban that ruled him out of Sunday’s grand final almost certain. The case follows a four-match suspension issued to Dragons forward Ryan Couchman for a similar hip-drop tackle that caused J’Maine Hopgood to suffer a torn ACL.
Judiciary chair Geoff Bellew said that case involved significant culpability despite no finding of intention or recklessness. Cleary apologised for online abuse directed at Crossland, describing the incident as an accident and asking people to stop attacking the Newcastle player. Newcastle football director Chris James also called it a horrible accident occurring at speed and under fatigue.
Cleary underwent surgery on his broken left leg. The source says he described Crossland’s apology respectfully but does not provide a timetable for his recovery.
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