Suspended
Crocker hits out at NRL

Suspended Melbourne second rower Michael Crocker claims he has been victimised by the NRL judiciary because he is a Queensland Origin contender.

Crocker accepted an early guilty plea after being charged with a grade four dangerous throw for his tackle on South Sydney forward Shane Rigon. The guilty plea sees the in-form backrower rubbed out for nine matches, including all three games of the State of Origin series.

The former Sydney Roosters forward, who has a poor record at the judiciary with seven suspensions in the last five years, claims he has been treated unfairly because of his Queensland allegiances. Crocker said he decided not to fight the charge, and risk a 12-match ban, after being tipped off that he stood little hope of being successful.