NRL 2024: Elliott Whitehead’s NRL career is over after accepting three-game ban for Brandon Smith hip drop tackle
Elliott Whitehead has laughed off his spat with Roosters coach Trent Robinson with a social media video as the Raiders star accepted a three-game ban for his tackle on Brandon Smith. WATCH THE VIDEO
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Canberra forward Elliott Whitehead has laughed off his spat with Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson by posting a video on social media poking fun at his run-in with Angus Crichton on Sunday.
Whitehead, who was charged with multiple offences after a drama-charged afternoon at Allianz Stadium, posted a video of himself being sin-binned after he lashed out at the ball while it was in Crichton’s hands.
He overlaid commentary from a famous game in England some years back when the commentator called for a player to be sent off, as well as adding two laughing emojis and the tagline: “Get him off the field”.
“That was diabolical, get him off the field,” the commentator screams.
“That’s just typical of what he is. Get him walking. That should be sent off. That’s diabolical.”
Whitehead is facing a fine over the incident with Crichton. However, he is also staring down the barrel of a three game suspension after a hip drop that ended Brandon Smith’s season - the fourth time in the past three years he has been charged over a hip drop.
The charge followed a spiteful ending to Sunday’s game after Robinson branded Whitehead a serial hip drop offender, having earlier rejected the Canberra forward’s attempt to apologise for the incident involving Smith.
Smith has been diagnosed with damage to his right MCL and ACL. He will initially be in a brace and the Roosters said a decision would be made in the coming weeks regarding an operation.
Whitehead, who is bound for Super League side Catalans next season, has played his last game for the Raiders after copping a three-match ban with an early guilty plea following a grade three dangerous contact charge.
The Raiders forward has been charged three previous times since 2022, although none of the prior offences have been serious enough to warrant a suspension.
Each has been only a grade one charge and Whitehead has accepted a fine. Whitehead was also charged with dangerous contact after lashing out at Crichton with his boot and tripping after an incident involving Roosters captain James Tedesco.