NRL Judiciary News – Preliminary Finals Recap:

- Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

- Crossland was sent off in Sunday's preliminary final for a hip drop tackle on Penrith star Nathan Cleary.

- Victor Radley has been hit with a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge and a $3,000 early plea fine for a hip-drop on Herbie Farnworth.

- Contesting the charge and losing at the judiciary would see the Roosters forward face a two-match suspension.

Phoenix Crossland Judiciary Hearing Looms Before Grand Final

The Phoenix Crossland judiciary hearing on Tuesday night will determine whether the Knights hooker is available for the NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters. 

The Match Review Committee (MRC) referred the matter directly to the judiciary rather than offering an early guilty plea.

Crossland was sent from the field in the second half of Sunday afternoon's preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers. 

With Penrith attacking the Knights' line, he brought Cleary to ground in a tackle deemed to be a hip drop. Cleary required a stretcher to leave the field.

The send-off was the first in NRL history for a hip drop tackle. The offence has more commonly resulted in a sin bin.

Nathan Cleary Injury Details

Cleary's involvement in the preliminary final was already complicated. The Panthers halfback was initially set to start, but instead came off the interchange after suffering a stress-related bone issue in his right foot during Penrith's qualifying final win over the Roosters. That injury was later revealed to be a break.

Cleary entered the contest with around 15 minutes remaining, but his return lasted just 10 minutes. 

The tackle from Crossland left him with a compound fracture to his left foot, and he was immediately taken to hospital by ambulance.

The severity of the injury has sparked frustration among fans. Concerns continue to be raised about whether the outcome of an incident is influencing the punishment handed down by match officials and the MRC.

Hip Drop Tackle Precedent at Penrith

This is not the first time a Penrith player has suffered a serious injury from a hip drop tackle this season. 

In April, Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny sustained a fractured fibula and a high-grade syndesmosis injury after a hip drop from Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima.

The outcome in that case was:

1. Nikorima was sin-binned for 10 minutes during the match.

2. He received a two-match suspension with an early guilty plea.

3. That penalty would have increased by one match had he unsuccessfully challenged the charge at the judiciary.

Victor Radley Learns His MRC Fate

Victor Radley was placed on report during the Roosters' preliminary final win over the Dolphins after being deemed to have made dangerous contact with Herbie Farnworth's legs.

The NRL's match review committee (MRC) has handed down a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge, with Radley offered a $3,000 fine on an early plea. Key details of the charge include:

Charge: Grade 1 dangerous contact.

Early plea penalty: $3,000 fine.

Penalty if contested and lost: Two-match suspension.

With six run-ins with the MRC this season, Radley faced a nervous wait to learn whether he would be ruled out of the season decider. Accepting the early plea means he can run out at Accor Stadium in the big dance, and it is almost certain he will take the fine rather than risk a suspension at the judiciary.

Dolphins Duo Also Charged by the Match Review Committee

Victor Radley was not the only player to attract the attention of the MRC following the preliminary final.

Isaiya Katoa was pulled up for a hip-drop on veteran Roosters winger Daniel Tupou in the opening minutes of the match and will receive a $750 fine.

Morgan Knowles was charged with a Grade 1 careless high tackle around 20 minutes later. As it was his third and subsequent offence, the Dolphins lock received a $3,000 fine.

Like Radley, Knowles has the option to contest the charge, but a loss in front of the judiciary panel would result in a two-match suspension.

Finals Suspensions and Grand Final History

Crossland's situation is further complicated by the incident occurring during the finals series. 

Several players have previously missed a shot at a premiership after being suspended for finals incidents:

Cameron Smith (2008): The Melbourne Storm captain missed the Grand Final against Manly after being suspended for a grapple tackle on Brisbane Broncos forward Sam Thaiday.

Isaac Luke (2014): The South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker was ruled out of the Grand Final after being charged with a dangerous throw on Sydney Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams.

Crossland will spend Tuesday night fighting for the chance to play in a historic Grand Final for Newcastle. 

The judiciary's decision will shape the Knights' preparations for the premiership decider against the Roosters, with the NRL Grand Final markets set to be influenced by the outcome.