A shattered Angus Crichton is out of the State of Origin series opener after the incumbent NSW second-rower was banned for two matches for dangerous contact.
In a brutal night for the Sydney Roosters at the NRL judiciary, Crichton unsuccessfully argued he believed Brisbane five-eighth Albert Kelly still had the ball when he hit him late on Saturday night.
The verdict came after Roosters teammate Victor Radley lost his battle on a high-tackle charge, ruling him out for five matches and the first two Origins.
And while Radley was only considered a likely option for the Blues at lock, Crichton was considered a certainty to play left edge on June 9 at the MCG.
The 25-year-old looked crestfallen when the verdict came down, with his plight made even worse by the fact he could have escaped with just a fine if not for two earlier offences this year.
“It’s very disappointing. It’s a tough one to take. It was a genuine mistake,” Crichton said.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“It really hurts. It’s tough, it’s hard when (the NRL’s crackdown on foul play) comes in mid-year. To miss games hurts.
“In the end I’m the one who has to be accountable for my actions, it’s disappointing to miss games and let my teammates down.”
In a 40-minute hearing on Tuesday, Crichton claimed he was expecting Kelly to dummy and run when he went across field, noting it was his rival’s biggest play.
He also argued he was unsighted and did not realise the ball had been passed until after he made contact, which his lawyer James McLeod labelled an “innocuous bump”.
“My only interest in this play is to kill the play and tackle the guy with the ball,” Crichton told the panel.
“Halfbacks and playmakers, they show the ball and they hide the ball from us as defenders.
“In this instance I thought he still had the ball… it wasn’t until I had contacted him that I realised the ball had been passed.
“When I got up, I was confused (that he didn’t have the ball).”
But the three-man panel of Bob Lindner, Tony Puletua and Dallas Johnson disagreed, claiming the contact was dangerous and Crichton had been careless.
“There is no attempt to make contact until Kelly passed,” NRL counsel Peter McGrath had argued.
“In making the contact he was careless because he ought to have realised the ball was passed by that time.”
NSW were at least given some reprieve on Tuesday with fellow second-rower Cameron Murray named to return from an ankle injury for South Sydney, enhancing his chances of selection.
Liam Martin’s chances will now firm as will the chances of Penrith teammate Isaah Yeo.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm pleased you're pleased, my work here is now complete.
The Barry
Roar Guru
PS I roared when I saw the Radley tackle on TPJ. “What a hit stopped him in his tracks!!” But first replay it was clear he’d hit him with the shoulder straight in the chops
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, it’s funny all the social media rants defending Radley. He deserved what he got but not much defending Crichton and like you I thought he was a bit stiff compared to some of the other tackles Yes, looks like the NRL is serious about the crackdown but not entirely clear what they’re cracking down on Silly rolling out these changes in the fortnight before Origin
The Barry
Roar Guru
No. Crichton’s two games has him missing round 12, origin 1 and round 14...
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
If Radley and Chrichton had avoided suspension there would have been 100 additional posts complaining about Rooster bias and NSW bias... I guess those people are having the day off today...
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Isn't it bigger news that they are missing 5 and 2 games respectively for their same club than it is for one game for NSW?
Dutski
Roar Guru
In a good way.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I’m gobsmacked at your use of the word temerity!
kk
Roar Pro
Agreed.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
At the least Crichton owned his suspension and the impact it has on his team, contrast to the way Radley stated he has no issues with his tackling technique. What was it again, 2 sinbins and 4 mentions in dispatches in one game of footy - I'm officially gobsmacked by his temerity.
Nat
Roar Guru
Cheers kk. I suspected as much but hadn't made it over to NRL.com yet. I guess they had nothing to lose in fighting for both he and Radley.
Nat
Roar Guru
Moose Mcguire has been running around with one eye for 5yrs. He has tested the judiciaries patience on that one.
kk
Roar Pro
Spot on as usual, Albo.
Paul
Roar Guru
maybe he had Selective Blindness? That used to be a defence for swinging arms "I didn't see his head when my arm was moving, Your Honor" :happy:
Albo
Roar Rookie
I was not surprised by the Radley outcome last night, but I thought Crichton was a bit stiff from my viewing of his incident . I guess it proves the NRL is serious about this crackdown. Talk of impacts on the NSW SOO squad is a bit premature. Crichton was probably a chance , Radley was never a chance after last weekend. Freddy is a clown at times but he is not an idiot. No way would he be picking a player that can potentially leave your team short for 10, 20 or more minutes in an Origin game. And there are three better locks than him going around already in Jake T, Murray & Yeo who would rarely be a risk of leaving their teams short.
kk
Roar Pro
Paul, Will players now be required to submit to Eyesight Assessments?
kk
Roar Pro
Nat, Article by Dan Walsh and Troy Whittaker indicates club would have to prove Origin selection to count to reduce time out by one week. Origin selection does not take place until Sunday night. That makes it impossible. But this is Rugby League.
Paul
Roar Guru
Crichton said he thought Kelly still had the ball, yet the NRL counsel said "he ought to have realised the ball was passed by that time”, because Kelly had already got rid of it. I'm not sure how Crichton could have proved a negative - that he didn't see the ball had been passed?
Paul
Roar Guru
sounds about right, Tony.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good question Nat. In the case of Crichton, I think it's 2 club rounds, plus anything that falls in between, like origin.