Flanagan’s accuser won’t front judiciary. Should he be compelled to?

Influential rugby league figures want players alleging foul play such as biting to be forced to front the NRL judiciary to provide testimony to the panel.

Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton will not appear at Tuesday night’s tribunal to tell panel members he was bitten by Kyle Flanagan in Saturday’s 28-10 win over St George Illawarra. Flanagan has pleaded not guilty to a dangerous contact charge.

Crichton did not complain to the referee, but the ground manager at the game was informed of the biting allegations after full-time, and the Bulldogs were asked by the NRL to take photos of any markings on the captain’s nose. Crichton was seen with blood on his face after the incident.

Flanagan was referred straight to the judiciary and risks being suspended for four to six weeks, which would end his season.

He will be represented by lawyer James McLeod, who will not have the chance to cross-examine the man who made the complaint.

While Crichton had the option of giving his version of events in front of the judiciary panel, sources familiar with the situation not permitted to speak publicly about the matter said he would not be appearing. Crichton did not speak to the media as he left Nestrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday night.

Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton after full-time on Saturday night.Credit: NRL Imagery

The Dragons are expected to argue Crichton smothered his face against Flanagan’s, which left his nose inside his rival’s open mouth. It was Crichton who maneuvered his head into the face of Flanagan.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the current judiciary code was overseen by Justice Geoff Bellew, and any changes could be made by the ARL Commission. This masthead spoke to three senior figures in the game who wanted the rules about players fronting at hearings reviewed, but who could not comment publicly because of a live case.

The outcome of Flanagan’s case could have a large bearing on the ninth-placed Dragons’ finals hopes. They have games to come against the Titans, Sharks, Eels and Raiders.

Jack Wighton was the last player to be found guilty of biting, suspended for three matches after an incident involving Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble while playing for Canberra during the finals series last year. Kevin Proctor was banned for four games for biting Shaun Johnson in 2020.

Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan was accused of biting Stephen Crichton during this tackle.Credit: Fox Sports

Should Flanagan be banned, Jack Bird and Jesse Marshcke, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, are possible replacements. Another option is Lyhkan King-Togia, who is seen as a future first-grader and has starred in the NSW Cup the past month.

Meanwhile, Dragons prop Hame Sele remains in hospital and is unlikely to play again this year because of heart complications. Sele was rushed to St George Hospital at half-time on Saturday with chest tightness, and remained in the emergency ward for more than 24 hours while undergoing tests.

“He’s got a form of pleurisy,” coach Shane Flanagan told this masthead. “He’s got inflammation in the lining around his heart, and it’s come from a previous infection. He had the flu a few weeks ago, and they think it’s come from that. He needs more tests. It’s serious. He’s still in hospital on painkillers.”

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