For once, I have no massive issue with what Clarke has said. Taking club bias out of it, I think he's pretty much bang on the money. That doesn't excuse any of his pro-Wigan, anti-anyone else vitriolic outbursts in the past.

Didn't he defend Cassidy in his appeal all those years ago?

Lets hope Mc.D doesn't hold back wrt the Ferres incident just like he did with Singleton.

Nothing wrong at all with Clarke's article. Get the blue and amber tinted specs off. Ferres could have broken Gildart's neck, and had ample time to realise what was happening in the tackle and stop it. He deserves every minute of 6 weeks.

The main thing is the hope that Gildart isn't permanently affected. Everything else, especially the length of Ferres' suspension is secondary IMO. The other big positive could be what Clarke alludes to and we don't see these tackles again.

Suspensions in the NRL led to them virtually being eradicated, which showed two things - firstly that they were only happening as a direct result of coached tactics involving wrestling, which were going wrong on the field, and secondly that even the dumbest players can avoid doing them.

I would like to think Clarke's interjection is to do with his similar career-ending injury when he was at his peak, rather than because it's Wigan. I can't disagree with much he says; Ferres does seem to have an arrogant, selfish attitude that manifests itself on & off the pitch.

On the face of it the article is fine, the question is one that Clarke had caused himself in that would he be writing the same thing if a Wigan player had done that to a Leeds player? This comment from him about the Ben Flower incident trying to turn it into some sort of positive for the sport makes me think not....

And there is the issue-things he's said previously.

However, this article is fine. No issue with it at all.

The point about the crusher tackle in the sport is fine imo but he clearly makes it about Ferres which he claims not to.
Also Printer points out what a hypocrite he is & did PC do a similar article when Bateman only got 3 games for a crusher??

Honestly?

Yes, it would have taken the heat out of the argument.

How? The complaints are largely around the length of the ban and should we see much longer bans to stop these tackles happening. Leeds coming out saying Ferres has let the club down, teammates, himself etc. wouldn't have changed that.

Disagree mate PC is & always will be an attention seeking hypocrite irrespective if a Club Coach or Player speaks out.

Oh I have no doubt that the article would have appeared in some form or guise.

My "beef" as it were is its always sweep it under the carpet one minute, the next, decry it from the rooftops.