The idea of the yellow card is to punish certain types of misdemeanor. To then give a player a ban is to punish the original incident twice. So, no, I don't agree with the OP's first post.

However, to discourage persistent offenders, I would support a points accrual system. Score enough and you get an automatic 1 match ban.

Don't the Australians operate a points system as far as disciplinary goes?

Something along those lines would work here. Different offences carry different points penalties. As your points add up so does the likelyhood of a ban. When a player reaches 100 points he receives an automatic 1 match. 200 points - two matches, 300 - three matches etc.

Over several games player A could be hit with 25 points for backchat, 50 points for a professional foul and then another 50 points for a professional foul. He is now on 125 points and receives an automatic one game and is only 75 points away from his next ban which would be 2 games.

Player B deliberately targets the opposition scrum half with a late elbow to the jaw. The judiciary hand out a 350 point penalty meaning player B receives a 6 game ban (1 for the first 100 + 2 for the second + 3 for the third) and is only 50 points away from his next (4 game) ban.

Could even extend the system to a team level too. If/when team A make it to 2,000 points (for example) they could be deducted 1 league point, and then a further point for each 100 over the 2,000 as well as the individual player penalties.

The only difficult part would be consistency from the judiciary!

our danny brough wouldn't go down well with this

Leon Pryce getting 10 minutes for a professional foul, or any player getting a sin binning for persistent offsides etc, is a fair punishment.

But getting a 1 match ban for these offences is completely ridiculous.

Saying they are pros and should know the rules is meaningless. Pros know the rules of offside, high tackles etc but still commit offences because these are unavoidable in a fast paced game like RL.

I think a one match ban for a player who punches another to the ground and then repeatedly issues threats on live television and after being spoken to by the referee is eminently adequate and furthermore does nothing to put our game in a bad light.

Well done RFL and keep up the good work Keith.

If offenses were punnished correctly EVERY TIME whoever the offending player was and whoever he plays for discipline would improve automatically in my opinion. Unfortunately over the years this has not happened and referees have been given more and more ways to cop out of giving decisions. Years ago a spear tackle or dangerous tackle was an instant sending off - now we're lucky if they are even given. The sin bin was originally introduced to punnish professional fouls or technical offenses. Referees then started using it for foul play. Now its the on report system.

I don't have a problem with on report being used when something happens in back play but all too often it is a cop out. If the ref sees it - deal with it and do what you are paid to do.

With regards to the bans. Offenses vary too much in my opinion. I suppose the football system where it is an automatic one match which can be increased depending on the severity would be a possibilty but only if it is applied equally.

The ban for sin bins would be harsh. A points accrual system would be a possibility but can be abused as already mentioned. For example, a team already in the play offs has a player one card away from a ban with one or two games to play. The player purposefully gets a yellow card so he is banned for the game that does not matter as opposed to the play offs. It could work but would need to be monitored carefully.

Why not implement the BONUS point ? The championship leagues don't want it.

Completely disagree.

RL is a man’s game and that sort of behaviour is inevitable. I for one cannot wait to see what will happen the next time they meet and I am sure I am not alone (mind you I bet Jon Wilkin aint looking forward to it!!)

The NRL virtually promotes itself on the fact that it is totally uncompromising nature. The build up to games is full of highlights of previous “incidents”. IMO this only adds to the spectacle.

Take SOO as another example the game is based on the whole Mate against Mate thing.

The scraps in these games all add spice and the Aussies lap it up.

You cant beat a bit of BIFF!


Ps i do agree with a one match ban, but purely because it was right at the end of the game and saints gained nothing by his yellow card

no

It`s not the current system that`s wrong, just the weak interpretation by the Disciplinary Review panel, the NRL come down a lot harder, i.e. Senior 1 match ban for punching, the NRL usually dish out 3 match bans for this offence. Also, if Players appeal and lose, the ban is automatically increased. Their system doesn`t seem to favour the `big` clubs either.