AAP reports: Newcastle forward Phoenix Crossland apologised to "everyone" in rugby league as the NRL judiciary handed him a four-match ban for the hip-drop tackle that broke the leg of his favourite player, Penrith's Nathan Cleary.
During 85 minutes of evidence on Tuesday night at the NRL's Moore Park headquarters, Crossland said the incident had taken the focus off grand final week.
"Apologies to everyone involved in the game," he said.
"I hope after tonight we can get back to the football.
"If I could change the circumstances in any way, I would."
The suspension over the tackle in Newcastle's win over the Panthers in last Sunday's preliminary final, means Crossland will not only miss this Sunday's grand final against the Sydney Roosters but also the majority of the World Cup for New Zealand.
Crossland, who has played six Tests for New Zealand, will now miss all three pool games for the Kiwis against Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji.
New Zealand would have to make the semi-finals for him to feature.
The 26-year-old also revealed he had contacted Cleary and his father, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary, to apologise.
"It was a tough phone call and I just wanted to reach out and apologise," Crossland told judiciary chair Geoffrey Bellew and panel members Ryan James and Paul Simpkins.
"It's been the worst couple of days of my life.
"He's my favourite player by a mile and the only reason he's in hospital is because of me."
Knights counsel James McLeod had asked for a penalty of no more than three matches given Crossland had shown deep remorse and had pleaded guilty.
NRL counsel Patrick Knowles SC said that while there were mitigating circumstances, a penalty of four matches was appropriate.
Cleary's injury was one of the worst suffered on an NRL field this season.
He underwent emergency surgery in Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital on Sunday night.
Penrith staff had to hold Nathan Cleary's left foot in place as he was taken off the field.
Cleary is also Australia's incumbent halfback but will also miss the four-week World Cup, which starts on October 15.
Crossland's 1077 tackles this year are the most of any player in the NRL, with the incident on Cleary only the second time he had been charged in 2026.
The Newcastle hooker cut a dejected figure before being sent off and while in the change rooms on Saturday night.
Tuesday night's decision came after Cleary called out those peppering the embattled Knight with social-media abuse and threats.
Josh Callinan reports (earlier): Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has learned his fate at the NRL judiciary.
This season's Danny Buderus Medal winner will miss the 2026 grand final after being suspended for four matches.
Tuesday night's ban, following a hearing in Sydney, also put his potential World Cup campaign with New Zealand in doubt.
Crossland's punishment comes in the wake of a hip-drop tackle on NRL superstar Nathan Cleary, who has undergone surgery on a compound leg fracture after Sunday's epic preliminary final between Newcastle and Penrith at Accor Stadium.
The Kiwi international was sent off just prior to half-time while Cleary, who started off the bench, was taken from the field on a medicab before being transported straight to hospital.
Crossland reached out to his opponent in the wake of the incident while Cleary also defended the No.9 on social media.
The Knights rallied with 12 men to defeat the Panthers 22-14 and now meet the Roosters in the men's decider on October 4.
