+34
Penrith Panthers hooker Phoenix Crossland appeared before the NRL judiciary after pleading guilty to dangerous contact for a tackle that left halfback Nathan Cleary with a compound fracture. Crossland accepted responsibility but said he had no recollection of the incident, while his lawyer argued mitigating circumstances should reduce the proposed suspension.
Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland was reduced to tears as he fronted the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night to learn his fate Get the expert take on NRL Grand Final Day with FOX LEAGUE’s extensive coverage, plus full and mini replays available post-game on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo?
WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The Panthers superstar is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering a compound fracture to his lower left leg, with Crossland sent off and later charged for the incident.after pleading guilty to a dangerous contact charge, but went to NRL headquarters on Tuesday to see how long he would be suspended for.
“They can see that there are mitigating circumstances and it wasn’t a deliberate tackle, but a message has to be sent about this style of tackle,” Sohier said of the NRL’s argument. Sohier reported that a number of different angles were shown of the incident on Tuesday, with Crossland’s lawyer James McLeod starting out his cross-examination of the Knights hooker by asking him questions about when he made his NRL debut and how many games he has played.
He then moved onto the Cleary incident and when asked if he could recall the tackle, Crossland said he had “no recollection” and that the only time he had actually seen it was replays shown on screens in the days since Sunday. Crossland then spoke about the phone call he made to Cleary on Monday afternoon to apologise, adding that the Panthers halfback told him to “please stop apologising”.
“Crossland said that he was such a gentleman in the way that he was saying, ‘Please stop saying sorry’. Crossland was then so remorseful in saying he feels terrible. This week has been killing him. The fact that the best player in the game is in hospital with a broken leg and will miss the World Cup is far from where he wants to be right now.
”Sohier said Crossland then revealed that he called Ivan straight after he spoke to Nathan to apologise to him and the Cleary family. Crossland was “reduced to tears” when talking about the incident and “how horrible he feels” according to Sohier. The Knights hooker then spoke about his community work and winning the Danny Buderus Medal and pledged to go back to training and practice and work on his tackle technique.
“He said, ‘I’ve made the most tackles in the competition this year, it’s my responsibility to fix it’, conceding that he knew what he has done is a huge mistake and an accident as well,” Sohier added.
Phoenix Crossland Nathan Cleary Panthers Knights NRL Suspension
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nathan Cleary Suffers Compound Fracture After Hip-Drop Tackle; Phoenix Crossland Referred to NRL JudiciaryNathan Cleary broke his leg in Penrith's preliminary final loss to Newcastle after a hip-drop tackle by Phoenix Crossland, who has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary.
Read more »
Phoenix Crossland referred to NRL judiciary for hip-drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary's ankleNewcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary after being sent off for the hip-drop tackle that broke Penrith star Nathan Cleary's ankle, likely ending Crossland's grand final hopes.
Read more »
Knights Hooker Crossland Faces Grand Final Exclusion After Serious Accidental TackleNewcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland will be barred from the club's first men's grand final in 25 years after his tackle caused a compound fracture to Nathan Cleary. A judiciary hearing will decide the length of his suspension.
Read more »
Knights give up hope on Crossland playing in NRL grand finalThe hooker has entered a plea ahead of the judiciary hearing, which will decide the length of his ban.
Read more »