I must admit I often read the Leeds boards to find some good sense talked by people who understand the game. You and a few of the above posters have, as ever, managed to do just that. But just to meander OT - What have Leneghan and McManus done to upset you in the past? Leneghan is surely more palatable than Maurice Lindsay or Uncle Dave Whelan?

I dunno really. I find most SL chairmen to be quite self-interested to the detriment of the sport (and thus their own long-term interests) most of the time. Leneghan and McManus are among the more prominent.

I tend to overlook it in Leeds' top brass, because I share some of their interests (and because I think Hethrington is actually shrewd enough to notice occasionally that the strength of the whole sport will ultimately affect his interests, though he may not get it right all the time). I'm human after all.

As a collective, they tend to remind me of parish councillors. They make themselves feel like very big fish (a few passes to the Premier Suite through work a few years back served to confirm this) in what is actually quite a small pond.

But yes, Lindsay was irritating. And Whelan is a noted gobs**te (he broke his leg playing football once you know). So Leneghan is a step forward.

I understand your points but I think what is for 'the good of the game' is the responsibility of the RFL and the clubs will usually act in self interest as it is a competition after all.

I agree that most of them are small fish indeed. And I must admit I have rather enjoyed Mr Koucash wading around the pond and stirring things up this season.

What IS that smell? The sad fact remains - the damage done to the image as a family game seems likely to last longer than the ban! Far too lenient and yes - there will be a lot of chip paper but the reputation of the game is sadly shot. Let's hope that today's front and back pages return to ignoring us again soon.

That's exactly what WILL happen. The reputation of the game hasn't changed one iota. Most of those calling for a public hanging never watch a game from one year to the next. Furthermore those who do, understand that watching grown men biff each other about is a big part of what makes the game enjoyable.

Many fans wax lyrical about the likes of Barrie Mac, Kelvin Skerritt and Big Jim Mills in a 'good old days' way, but get all sanctimonious when something similar happens nowadays.

As for the 'family' thing. If you can really come up with a living breathing 'family' who were put off the game by what Ben Flower did, I'll change my mind. I suspect you won't be able to though.

Storm in a teacup. Old news already.

It is dealt with, before the ban I thought 12 games would be sufficient so I think they have got it about right. What really concerns me, and this has grown throughout this season, is the way that people are reacting. Flower has now received death threats via social media, add to that the way Hardaker was treated on social media earlier in the season. I thought we were supposed to have a family game, but if you read some comments on facebook etc you would think we were watching football. The way some fans have reacted this season has been the real tarnish on our game but I suppose people are entitled to their opinion.

I hope Wigan look after Flower now, the guy could end up having a nervous breakdown with what's being thrown at him at the minute.

What damage? Can you be a bit more specific? I live in RU territory, and I see no reputational damage here. Part of the appeal of RL for my dad when he started taking me was that it kept its violence and aggression on the pitch. I was born and raised in Leeds but he is from Brighton. As such he knew little about RL. What he did know was that he didn't much enjoy the atmosphere when he tried taking me to football at Elland Road and Bramhall Lane (a family friend was a Sheff Utd season ticket holder). So we tried RL. It was relaxed, it was fun, and the big lumps on the field knocking ten bells out of each other was exciting.

If you want to see damage to the reputation of the game, look at the reaction of "fans" on social media. Major foul play, big ban.

Has anybody anywhere suggested that they will stop going to RL because Ben Flower punched someone? Any suggestion of sponsors pulling out? Of course there isn't.

By reputation it's a rough, tough sport. A line was crossed. A hefty ban was dished out within 4 days.

Lots of twisted knickers round here.

One of my problems with Lengahan recently is that he seems to be bringing lots of problems but few solutions, jumping on the very fashionable bandwagon that is 'bashing the RFL'.

He criticises the RFL for failing to bring in blue-chip sponsors - a perfectly valid criticism, but it's also something he has failed to do at Wigan. In a league where we have teams sponsored by big financial brands, one of the world's biggest airlines, one of the UK's biggest tea brands, Wigan are sponsored by a social housing provider.

And then there was the "I disagreed with the TV deal but voted for it anyway" scenario. Again - lots of problems, few proactive ideas to solve them.

Koukash comes up with similar criticisms, but I think his brashness and chutzpah earns him a bit of leeway. Lenaghan just looks like someone jumping on the bandwagon in quite an undignified manner.

Looking at the media last night and today, I think most a generally happy with the level of suspension. The statement 'six month ban' obviously sounds more severe than it is, but it seems to have taken away some of the ammunition from the media to say that RL is a soft touch that condones senseless violence.

I know I'm alone in this, but I think Ben Westwood smashing in someone's cheekbone, not even being sent off and then picking up a 1 match ban because he was going to be playing for England was a far more disgusting episode than what Flower did.

Justice has pretty much been done this time round. The RFL deserved a punch in the face when they were down for letting Westwood off.

'Aboveus...'
Where are you? Seen any news coverage? Read any views? Heard any comments? Thought about any of them? I do so hope it is old news by tomorrow but the media are delighting in this opportunity, given them on a plate, to paint the game as simply one of sheer thuggery for thick Northern idiots who like a good biff. Yes - it is a tough sport! To me it is primarily a game of the greatest skill and athleticism, with a bit of 'Biff' now and then, and that image was gradually being accepted by the rest of the country. BUT-it is the clear malicious violence and evil intent of the second punch that is the cause of the glee of the sports writers for what it has given them, and which has brought the game into such negative focus. The madness of a few sick 'fans' on Twitter etc is also, ridiculously, being highlighted as evidence that RL fans are all nutters. The 'punishment' does not reflect the fact that had it occurred on anything other than the grass patch of OT, or even a few feet away in the stands, he would have been arrested and charged with a criminal offence. Families staying away? Of course they won't. Sponsors withdraw? Of course not. However, I am unhappy that kids had to watch a punch with such evil intent taking place, especially being carried out by one who supposedly stands as a role model and in the showcase of the RL year. And I am right to be.

It should be a 6 month ban from the 1st available game in which Flower is eligible, the NRL(WCC) warm up game

I do agree that he needs support during his time away to keep the focus.

Just for the sake of being pedantic. He is eligible for Welsh internationals, trial games and Super League games before the risible so-called World Club Challenge (which you are well out of I might say).

I wish! www.totalrl.com/rls-moment-madne ... ed-moment/

I wish! www.totalrl.com/rls-moment-madne ... ed-moment/

A linked article to totalrl.

Good grief!

Evidence of the whole world media still in trauma over the Flower/Hohaia incident.

Martyn Sadler by plenty.