Phoenix Crossland will have to argue his case at the NRL judiciary if he is to have any chance of playing in the grand final after he was cited for the hip drop that broke Nathan Cleary’s leg.
The Newcastle hooker was sent off during the Knights’ thrilling preliminary final win over the Penrith Panthers on Sunday and the match review committee referred him straight to the judiciary.
Crossland landed on Cleary’s lower left leg as the Panthers superstar took on the line in the 36th minute at Stadium Australia and was wrapped up high by Knights back rower Francis Manuleleua.
The injury was immediately visible, and Manuleleua quickly signalled for medical attention.
As Cleary was receiving medical attention, including painkillers via the famed green whistle, replays on the big screen prompted Penrith fans and players to urge referee Gerard Sutton to send Crossland off.
Sutton called out Crossland and explained the incident in detail to him and captain Kalyn Ponga.
“Initially he’s up high, he makes a definite action to twist,” Sutton said.
“[He] comes down on the leg with weight, there’s extreme risk of serious injury. You’re off.”
Crossland will need a miracle to play in the grand final.
Crossland was dejected in the sheds before his team pulled off a stunning 22–14 comeback win to reach its first men’s NRL grand final in 25 years, but was greeted on the field after the game, embraced by a number of his teammates.
He seems at long odds to take the field in the grand final against the Roosters on Sunday.
Dragons forward Ryan Couchman was referred straight to the judiciary in round three for a hip drop that ended the season of Parramatta’s J’Maine Hopgood.
Couchman was suspended for four games for the tackle that left Hopgood with a torn ACL after a 90-minute hearing.
“Whilst the panel accepted that this did not incorporate any element of intention or recklessness, it took the view that the player’s level of culpability was significant, a factor reflected in the serious injury sustained by the ball carrier,” judiciary chair Geoff Bellew said.
But earlier this season, Broncos hooker Cory Paix was not penalised or charged for a tackle that left Manly prop Siosiua Taukeiaho with a visible leg injury similar to Cleary’s, breaking both the fibular and tibia.
“It’s a horrible injury and I’m sure I speak for all Manly fans in wishing Siua a speedy recovery,” Manly chief executive Jason King said at the time.
The Sea Eagles reportedly queried the decision not to cite Paix with the NRL.
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