NRL Judiciary: Kyle Flanagan accused of biting Stephen Crichton

St George Illawarra five-eighth Kyle Flanagan could face a lengthy stint on the sideline after he was accused of biting Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton on the nose in Canterbury’s win over the Dragons.

Stephen Crichton has lodged an official complaint, accusing Kyle Flanagan of biting him on the nose. Picture: Fox League

St George Illawarra playmaker Kyle Flanagan has been referred to the judiciary after allegedly biting Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton on the nose.

If found guilty, Flanagan could be facing a lengthy stint on the sideline with biting regarded as one of the more serious foul acts in the game.

The biting incident could not have come at a worse time for the Dragons as the club clings onto eighth spot on the ladder. A win to the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon against the New Zealand Warriors will see the Red V slide out of the top eight on points differential.

It comes as the Dragons nervously wait on the welfare of forward Hame Sele, who was taken to St George Hospital during the game because of an irregular heartbeat.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has vehemently denied the allegations against his son Kyle after Saturday’s sellout clash between the fierce neighbouring rivals.

Stephen Crichton lodged an official complaint, accusing Kyle Flanagan of biting him on the nose. Picture: Fox League

“Kyle said he didn’t do it – and I believe him,” Flanagan told this masthead.

“He’s not that type of person. Crichton can say whatever he wants. He shoved his head in Kyle’s face on the ground. They’re saying he bit him … come on.

“Kyle’s fine – he’s not worried about it.”

Crichton, who finished the game with a bloodied nose, did not make an on-field complaint at the time but was clearly agitated after the tackle in question.

Replays of the incident showed Crichton pressing his head into the face of the former Bulldogs playmaker.

Crichton’s nose ends up in Flanagan’s mouth and he appears to bite on it.

Crichton’s close mate and former Penrith teammate Brian To’o poked fun at the incident after the match on social media.

I don’t have a dog in the fight (no pun intended), but what is the protocol when a player rubs his face into yours while you’re pinned to the ground and inserts his nose into your mouth?#NRLDragonsBulldogs

— Warren Smith (@WarrenSmithFOX) August 10, 2024

“Spare nose for my use,” To’o posted on Instagram.

“If you wanted a kiss the uso could have just asked him.”

The star centre also reposted an Instagram story that joked Flanagan was ‘hungry’ and that ‘everyone wants a taste of the skipper’.

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo refused to weigh into the incident but said Crichton was unable to attend the post match press conference as he sought medical attention for his nose.

NRL legend and Fox League expert Cooper Cronk called footage of the incident “damning evidence” when asked for his reaction.

Crichton's former teammate Brian To'o poked fun of the act. Picture: Instagram

“Whoa … Yes, Stephen Crichton’s face is up against Kyle Flanagan’s, but you can actually see the white of Kyle’s mouthguard at some stage here,” Cronk said.

“Look, biting is something that is not allowed, completely not allowed, on the rugby league field.

“We’ve seen other players receive long suspensions when that’s happened, that’s the first I’ve seen of it, but that is damning evidence.“

Last year, former Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton was hit with a three-week ban for biting Newcastle’s Tyson Gamble on the arm during the finals series. Gamble refused to provide evidence at the judiciary hearing despite making an on-field complaint at the time.