Shattered Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has been cleared to celebrate with teammates if the Knights win the NRL grand final, but will be unable to form part of the official presentation.
Crossland has remained a key part of the Knights’ grand final week, after being banned for the hip-drop tackle that hurt Nathan Cleary last Sunday.
The 26-year-old was even named in the No.9 jersey by the Knights, and was backstage at Thursday’s NRL fan-fest at Martin Place cheering on teammates.
Phoenix Crossland was sent off and later suspended for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
He will also be able to join the Knights in the dressing rooms ahead of Sunday’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters, and be in the warm-up room pre-game.
But NRL rules prevent him from sitting on the Knights bench during the match. Instead, the New Zealand international will be forced to remain in the players’ enclosure behind it.
Crossland will then be allowed to enter the field after fulltime to celebrate or commiserate with teammates.
He will also be able to join celebrations with the trophy if Newcastle pull off an upset, but will not be on stage for the official handover.
Newcastle players have been keen to keep Crossland as a part of grand-final week, after his four-match ban at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
“That was his jersey all year,” coach Justin Holbrook said this week when explaining why he kept him at No.9.
“We love the job he’s done, he’s a big part of our team. I felt like I didn’t want to replace that jersey for the last game of the year.”
An emotional Crossland reached out to Cleary on Monday to say sorry for the hip-drop tackle that left him requiring emergency surgery, with the Penrith superstar having accepted his apology.
Cleary also took to social media afterwards to urge users to stop abusing the Newcastle hooker, and to point out that the tackle was a clear accident.
Crossland’s pain was also obvious when he fronted the judiciary on Tuesday night.
Phoenix Crossland’s pain and remorse were obvious when he fronted the NRL judiciary. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS)
“It’s been the worst couple of days of my life,” a tearful Crossland said.
“He’s my favourite player by a mile, and the only reason he’s in hospital is because of me.
“He was such a gentleman and told me not to worry and to stop saying sorry because these things just happen.
“He is a class act.”