Newcastle Knights dummy half Phoenix Crossland has been hit with a four-match ban by the NRL's judiciary on Tuesday evening.
The New Zealand representative was referred directly to the NRL judiciary after Sunday's incident, which saw him commit a devastating hip drop tackle on Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.
The star Panther is now in hospital and has already had an ankle - which was left with a compound fracture - operated on.
Crossland became the first player in the NRL to be sent off for a hip drop tackle, with the MRC then referring him direct to the panel.
The NRL's counsel asked for a four-match ban during the hearing, while Crossland and his defence team from the Knights attempted to prove mitigating circumstances were involved in the tackle to lower the penalty, although getting off to play the grand final was always a long shot.
The hooker was quoted during the hearing as saying he has apologised to Cleary, and showed genuine remorse for the tackle that will cost Cleary the World Cup, and put his career in jeopardy.
Given he was referred to the NRL judiciary and sent off on the day by referee Gerard Sutton, it was tipped the NRL's counsel may have pushed for at least five matches given other hip drops previously have seen three and four-match bans.
Crossland was named by the Knights on Tuesday afternoon as part of their squad to clash with the Sydney Roosters this Sunday, but it's understood that was only to ensure the game counted as one of his suspension, and that the Knights never seriously expected they would be able to avoid a suspension given Cleary's injury.
Crossland will now need to be replaced for the game, with both Harrison Graham and Deisel Hagan named in the 22-man squad by Justin Holbrook for the decider.
The hooker will also need to be replaced in the New Zealand Kiwis squad for the Rugby League World Cup, with it being unlikely he would be selected given he will still have three games of his suspension to serve - the entirety of the group stage - before being eligible to play.
Jeremy Marshall-King was likely to be selected as part of the squad regardless, while South Sydney's Brandon Smith could rocket into calculations.
