+34
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland will miss the NRL grand final after being handed a four-game suspension for a dangerous hip drop tackle that broke Penrith's Nathan Cleary's leg. The 19-year-old pleaded guilty and expressed deep remorse, potentially paving the way for Diesel Hagan to make his historic NRL debut in the decider.
Tue 29 Sep 2026 at 7:49pmNewcastle Knights player Phoenix Crossland will miss the NRL grand final through suspension. Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has been suspended for four games by the NRL judiciary for the tackle that left Penrith's Nathan Cleary with a broken leg.
Crossland pleaded guilty to the dangerous contact charge on Tuesday before fronting the judiciary to learn his fate. Crossland was sent off for a hip drop tackle on Cleary in the 36th minute of Newcastle's preliminary final win over the Panthers. Crossland was represented by barrister James McLeod, who made the case for his client to receive a two or three-week ban. Crossland cited his career record, telling the judiciary he had never before been sent off.
He admitted he got the execution of the tackle wrong but insisted "wasn't trying to hurt anyone". Getty Images: Darrian TraynorArguing for a four-game suspension, the NRL said Crossland's tackle failed to exercise a proper duty of care and, while accidental, did not show enough caution towards Cleary. Crossland told the judiciary was deeply remorseful for Cleary's injury and had reached out to the Panthers star.
"I reached out to his dad as well. "He was such a gentlemen, he told me to stop saying sorry. "He's my favourite player in the game by a mile. He's the best player in the game and I look up to him.
"Getty Images: Cameron SpencerCrossland described the incident and fallout as a low point in his life. In his submissions, McLeod produced abusive Instagram messages that had been directed towards Crossland in the past 48 hours.
"It's meant to be the best week of my life and it's been far from it. " The verdict sets up a scenario where 19-year-old Knight Diesel Hagan could make his NRL debut in a grand final. It would be the first time such a debut has taken place in 90 years. Eddie Lockhart was the last to do it in 1936, for Balmain.
Harrison Graham will almost certainly shift to a starting role for Newcastle in the grand final, while other options for the Knights include Thomas Cant and Jermaine McEwen. Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.
NRL Grand Final Phoenix Crossland Penrith Panthers Nathan Cleary NRL Judiciary
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 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 »
Knights Hooker Phoenix Crossland Learns NRL Suspension After Dangerous TacklePenrith 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.
Read more »