Phoenix Crossland banned for four matches
Phoenix Crossland banned for four matches after hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary in NRL match.
Newcastle Knights dummy half Phoenix Crossland has been banned for four matches by the NRL’s judiciary. The decision was made on Tuesday evening after Crossland was referred directly to the judiciary following an incident on Sunday.
The incident involved a hip drop tackle on Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who is now in hospital with a compound fracture of his ankle. Cleary has already undergone surgery.
Crossland was the first player in the NRL to be sent off for a hip drop tackle. The NRL’s counsel requested a four-match ban during the hearing, while Crossland’s defence team attempted to prove mitigating circumstances.
During the hearing, Crossland expressed remorse for the tackle, which will cause Cleary to miss the World Cup and may put his career in jeopardy. Crossland stated that he had apologised to Cleary.
Crossland will now need to be replaced for the game, with both Harrison Graham and Deisel Hagan named in the 22-man squad by Justin Holbrook for the decider.
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Crossland’s suspension will also impact his availability for the New Zealand Kiwis squad at the Rugby League World Cup. He will still have three games of his suspension to serve before being eligible to play, making it unlikely he will be selected.
Jeremy Marshall-King was likely to be selected as part of the squad regardless, while South Sydney’s Brandon Smith could rocket into calculations.
Suspension Implications
Given he was referred to the NRL judiciary and sent off on the day by referee Gerard Sutton, it was tipped the NRL’s counsel may have pushed for at least five matches given other hip drops previously have seen three and four-match bans.
Crossland was named by the Knights on Tuesday afternoon as part of their squad to clash with the Sydney Roosters this Sunday, but it’s understood that was only to ensure the game counted as one of his suspension, and that the Knights never seriously expected they would be able to avoid a suspension given Cleary’s injury.
