Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary after the hip-drop tackle that left Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary with a broken ankle.
Crossland was sent off during Sunday’s preliminary final, in which Newcastle defeated Penrith 22-14 to secure an unexpected place in the grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
The NRL match review committee did not assign the tackle a grading, a decision that suggests Crossland could face a lengthy suspension. That would rule him out of Sunday’s decider and the beginning of next season.
Cleary was taken by ambulance to hospital from Accor Stadium after suffering the ankle injury in the first half.
