‘Absolutely no reason’: Phil Gould text blocked Stephen Crichton’s testimony over Kyle Flanagan bite

Stephen Crichton was prepared to give evidence via video in the Kyle Flanagan judiciary biting case until the Bulldogs supremo stepped in.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 31: General Manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and channel nine commentator Phil Gould during the round 13 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Canterbury Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium, on May 31, 2024, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton was prepared to give evidence via video in the Kyle Flanagan judiciary biting case but was prevented from doing so by the club’s football manager Phil Gould.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Gould blocked the move due to clear video evidence showing Flanagan biting Crichton during Canterbury’s 28-10 Round 23 victory over the Dragons.

Flanagan copped a four-march ban at the judiciary for the bite.

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In a text message to the Bulldogs board and the NRL, Gould explained why he believed Crichton should not be required to give evidence.

“The judiciary does not call players to appear before them to give evidence who have been allegedly hit by high tackles, been subjected to so-called crusher or hip-drops tackles,” Gould wrote as confirmed by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The incident.

“Where video evidence is clearly available, there should be absolutely no reason for victims of illegal acts to have to appear before the judiciary to give evidence. If the MRC believes it has the evidence it needs to make a charge, then one assumes they believe they have the evidence necessary to prove their case.

“Any player charged with an offence always gets the chance to defend themselves if they so desire. The judiciary has always been reluctant to hear evidence from the alleged victims in these instances, citing their belief that players generally support each other under the unspoken ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field’ act.

“If a player makes a complaint that cannot be clearly supported by video evidence, then of course that player should be required to supply a statement of evidence to support his claim. “However, where video evidence is clearly available, the victims of alleged illegal acts should not be required to appear before the judiciary to give evidence.”

Crichton did not immediately complain to officials following the bite but it was reported to club officials as soon as it happened with the star centre told to wait until after the match to raise the issue.

The NRL communicated with the Bulldogs during the game and informed them a complaint was not needed because the NRL already had video of the incident.

After the match Crichton posted a photo on social media illustrating the damage done to his nose during the incident.

Originally published as ‘Absolutely no reason’: Phil Gould text blocked Stephen Crichton’s testimony over Kyle Flanagan bite