Arabic version: إيقاف كروسلاند أربع مباريات بسبب تدخل على كلياري

According to ABC News, Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has received a four-game suspension from the NRL judiciary after a tackle that left Penrith’s Nathan Cleary with a broken leg. The ban means Crossland will miss Sunday’s NRL grand final.

Crossland pleaded guilty to a dangerous contact charge before appearing at the judiciary on Tuesday. He was sent off in the 36th minute of Newcastle’s preliminary-final win over the Panthers for a hip-drop tackle on Cleary, who suffered a compound fracture and dislocated ankle.

Represented by barrister James McLeod, Crossland sought a two- or three-week ban. He pointed to his disciplinary record, saying he had never previously been sent off, and accepted that he got the execution of the tackle wrong. He said he was not trying to hurt anyone.

The NRL argued for four games, saying the tackle failed to meet a proper duty of care and did not show sufficient caution towards Cleary, even if it was accidental. Crossland said he was deeply remorseful and had called both Nathan Cleary and Panthers coach Ivan Cleary after the incident.

The suspension would also rule Crossland out of New Zealand’s three World Cup pool games. For Newcastle, Harrison Graham is likely to move into a starting role for the grand final, while Thomas Cant and Jermaine McEwen are other options. The decision could also open the way for 19-year-old Diesel Hagan to make his NRL debut; ABC News said it would be the first grand-final debut in 90 years.