Cross denied leave to appeal
1 July 2005
NRL judiciary chairman, Judge Greg Woods, has denied Sydney Roosters centre Ryan Cross leave to appeal against a six match ban for eye-gouging.
Cross was this week found guilty of the contrary conduct charge for attacking the eye of Parramatta forward Glenn Morrison during the NRL match at Aussie Stadium last Friday night.
Woods made his decision after considering submissions from the Roosters yesterday and the NRL judiciary counsel, Peter Kite, today.
"In my view there are no good prospects for success were leave to be granted...the video evidence in this case was very compelling," Woods wrote in his judgment.
"The point was made in submissions on this leave application that the player Morrison had not chosen subsequently to pursue the on-field complaint - this submission has no weight.
"None of the other arguments advanced on this application is persuasive.
"It is obvious that, as Mr Kite put it, the act was 'a moment of madness' in a heated game.
"It does not detract from Mr Cross' general good character, and I have no doubt that he will never repeat this act or anything like it.
"Nonetheless, the penalty is necessary to mark the unacceptability of such conduct in rugby league football."
Cross today expressed his "strong disappointment".
"I was hoping that I may have had another opportunity to challenge the charge laid against me following last weekend's match against Parramatta," he said.
"Now that this opportunity has been denied, its my job to remain focused for my return to football in round 23 against the Sharks."
