Phoenix Crossland Handed 4-game Suspension

Photo: Getty Images

Phoenix Crossland's remarkable 2026 season has come to a painful end, with the Newcastle hooker handed a four-game suspension for the tackle that left Nathan Cleary with a fractured leg.

Crossland was sent off in the 36th minute of Newcastle's preliminary final victory over Penrith after falling onto Cleary's lower leg in a hip-drop tackle. Cleary was forced from the field and subsequently underwent surgery.

Crossland pleaded guilty to the dangerous-contact charge at Tuesday night's judiciary hearing. The four-game suspension means he will miss Sunday's Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters and is also set to miss the opening three matches of New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign.

The suspension is a significant blow for a player who has been a major part of Newcastle's extraordinary turnaround from the 2025 wooden spoon to the 2026 Grand Final.

There has also been considerable support for Crossland following the incident. Cleary himself publicly defended the Knights hooker, calling the tackle a "complete accident", saying Crossland had apologised and urging fans to stop directing abuse towards him.

Crossland was visibly devastated immediately after the incident and again in the Knights' dressing room following his sending-off. Despite losing their hooker for the remainder of the match, Newcastle held on with 12 men to defeat Penrith 22-14 and book their place in their first Grand Final since 2001.

Now, Crossland can only watch from the sidelines as his teammates attempt to complete one of the greatest turnarounds in recent NRL history.

His close friend Harrison Graham is expected to fill the No.9 role. Graham stepped into the position after Crossland's dismissal against Penrith and helped Newcastle survive the remaining 44 minutes with 12 players. He has described Crossland as one of the Knights' best players this season and said he wants to do his close mate and the club proud on Grand Final night.