Star Knights prop Leo Thompson dealt four-game ban for crusher tackle

Star Knights front-rower Leo Thompson has been dealt a four-match ban for performing a crusher tackle on Dragons lock Hamish Stewart during Newcastle's 20-6 defeat on Friday night.

The NRL's match review committee deemed the tackle a grade-two charge and it was Thompson's third and subsequent offence of this nature on record.

The Bulldogs-bound star will be suspended for five games if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses.

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The Dragons received a penalty for the crusher tackle, which occurred in the 63rd minute of the Kogarah match, but Thompson wasn't sent to the sin bin.

The suspension of one of Newcastle's key players is a bitter blow for the struggling Knights, who are placed 14th on the ladder with four wins and seven losses.

Thompson will miss games against the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Dolphins and Raiders if he accepts an early guilty plea, as well as a clash with the Storm if he fights the charge and is unsuccessful.

Newcastle's other front-rower, Tyson Frizell, was offered a $1000 fine for a grade-one, careless high tackle on St George Illawarra second-rower Toby Couchman. It was Frizell's first offence on record.

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