Calls for change to NRL judiciary rules after Stephen Crichton's absence in Kyle Flanagan case

Calls are mounting for the NRL to change its judiciary rules after Stephen Crichton chose not to front the NRL judiciary to provide testimony in Kyle Flanagan's biting case. On Tuesday night, the Dragons five-eighth plead not guilty to biting the Bulldogs centre on the nose in the second half of Canterbury's 28-10 win on Saturday night, despite video showing that he took a nip.

Flanagan claimed he was the initial victim in the tackle, feeling pressured by Bulldogs defenders and poked in the eye by Crichton's nose. He also stated that he didn't bite the Bulldogs captain and any cut was purely an accident. However, the panel ruled that it was intentional and slapped the Dragons five-eighth with a four-match ban, ruling him out for the remainder of the home and away season.

Crichton did not complain to the referee about being bit, but after full time the ground manager at the game was informed of the biting allegations. The Bulldogs were asked by the NRL to take photos of any markings on the captain’s nose and a report was handed to the NRL, which was used to come to Tuesday's verdict.

While Crichton had the option of giving his version of events in front of the judiciary panel, but he turned down the opportunity. It was a similar case to Jack Wighton's biting charge last year when accuser Tyson Gamble didn't give evidence at the judiciary, with a written report submitted instead. But much of the NRL world believes it is only fair for the accuser to front the judiciary and provide their version of events in person.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said any change to the current judiciary code, which is overseen by Justice Geoff Bellew, would have to come from the ARL Commission. However, SMH reports several senior figures are keen to change it so the accuser and the accused both have to face the judiciary, something many NRL fans and pundits believe needs to happen moving forward.

Kyle Flanagan claims he didn't intentionally bite Stephen Crichton

Flanagan claimed his eyes were closed at the time of the biting incident, and says he had an involuntary partial closing of his mouth. "I partially closed my jaw. I did not bite Stephen Crichton," Flanagan said. "I didn't cause those injuries (Crichton's bloody nose)".

However, the judiciary concluded that the bite was in fact intentional as at one point Flanagan's mouth was fully closed around Crichton's nose. "At a point in time when Crichton's head was moving upward, his nose is held back and compressed in your mouth and is then released," Gyles said to Flanagan. "Crichton is putting pressure on your face and acting aggressive to you, in a way you didn't like.

"The reason his nose came into your mouth was because you moved your head to the left. It was your move that put his nose in your mouth. You clenched your jaw, so what was between the bottom teeth and mouthguard was Stephen Crichton's nose."

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Flanagan's four-match ban means the Dragons will need to find another five-eighth for the remainder of the regular season to help steer them into finals footy. Ranked ninth on the NRL ladder, the Dragons have only one more game against a team ranked above them this season. Flanagan will be able to return for the first week of the finals if the Dragons qualify.

with AAP