The threequarters are a big loss, plus Austin/Martin. Walker makes no difference. Dwyer would be a bit of a loss but we do have plenty of cover there. Given our likely team a competitive performance for 80 minutes would be a good result. It fells like a bridge too far though, and lots of lessons for next year.
I see yet again the panel has had a hissy fit, deeming Martin's appeal 'frivolous' and adding another match. I do have a slight bit of sympathy in this case for refusing the appeal as he caught the opponent high, but that is disgraceful language again and the extra game is a farce.
Definitely wait until after the last game, but I'd actually be disappointed if Leeds don't make some sort of public statement about the disciplinary.
But the minimal and incidental touch on the end of Mellors nose on Martins arm brushing past to make the tackle around the ball is not the contact the mrp spoke about trying to eliminate from the game. There is absolutely no head injury risk or 'flexion' (to use their other favourite F word) .
I hope leeds do have a very public response to the whole situation, but I hope the other clubs are part of the that too as this can't go on and it needs a collective stance..
I understand the relatively trivial issue of the tackle, just arguing that strictly speaking he did catch him high, even if unintentionally and unlucky it was straight on the hooter. As you say, its not that sort of impact that would cause the game problems - allowing obvious head shots to go unpunished would be a problem in terms of perception, but ultimately the real problem is the nature of the game itself.
Regardless, the disciplinary has been an utter farce this year. Thirteen players cited the other week. Ridiculous. If anything they are banning so many players you could argue they are adding to the risk of those left unbanned, who have to play more games as a result.
Not sure how this will ever be resolved without a complete overall of the disciplinary system. Surely the RFL should resort to a system where only offences that are picked up by match officials are subjected to a disciplinary panel. Maybe this should include a fourth video official at all games. Appeals against any bans should be allowed without fear of further punishment. Perhaps we should have a points system for yellow cards like football with only red cards going to a disciplinary. In a contact sport you will always have incidents where tackles are high or late. These should be dealt with on the pitch when the referee with help from other officials can decide if there was clear intent. I am sure we all agree that players deliberately taking out another should be punished but the system at the moment is a farce run by idiots that seem to be able to do and say what they like with nobody to answer to.
Joined: Feb 13 2008 Posts: 443 Location: Egham-ish
Wigan fan here, I hadn't commented on the Martin ban because I hadn't seen the tackle but I just watched it and I could not believe my eyes! That is just barely a penalty. How they got a ban from that in the first place is baffling to me. To then add another match because of a "frivolous" appeal absolutely beggars belief. It's absolutely outrageous and I will be contacting the RFL to make my feelings clear.
"I have this system where I support England first, then the other Home Nations, then the rest of the Commonwealth, then the rest of the World, then France."
Joined: Dec 29 2005 Posts: 2246 Location: with the barefoot girls
He caught him high and has been punished. It wasn't a malicious tackle or a swinging arm with intent. The problem imo is that you could find numerous similar tackles throughout the season that have not even led to a charge. As someone mentioned Donaldson gets hit high every week, very few if any result in a charge.
Woody: Can I pour you a draft, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: A little early, isn't it Woody?
Woody: For a beer?
Norm: No, for stupid questions.
tyr wrote:Wigan fan here, I hadn't commented on the Martin ban because I hadn't seen the tackle but I just watched it and I could not believe my eyes! That is just barely a penalty. How they got a ban from that in the first place is baffling to me. To then add another match because of a "frivolous" appeal absolutely beggars belief. It's absolutely outrageous and I will be contacting the RFL to make my feelings clear.
I hope many more fans and coaches of all clubs do.
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