Phoenix Crossland has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary for the hip-drop that left Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary with a compound ankle fracture.
Newcastle hooker Crossland is set to miss Sunday’s grand final with the Sydney Roosters after he was sent off in the Knights’ preliminary final win over the Panthers.
Cleary was immediately taken to hospital and is facing a lengthy recovery.
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On Monday, the NRL’s match review committee referred Crossland to the judiciary, meaning the length of the No.9’s suspension will be dictated by the panel.
Ryan Couchman was the last player to be referred to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle in March.
The St George Illawarra forward was handed a four-game suspension after Parramatta lock J’maine Hopgood was left with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Crossland will miss the grand final, but could be back as soon as Round 1, if the Knights are able to count Rugby League World Cup fixtures in his suspension.
The 26-year-old Crossland is a six-cap New Zealand international and was locked in a three-way with the Dolphins’ Jeremy Marshall-King and Brandon Smith of South Sydney for the Kiwis’ No. 9 jersey.
Crossland’s absence will open the door for Harrison Graham to start in Sunday’s grand final.
Graham has been a bench specialist for the Knights this season and has only started two games in 2026.
