It was just a high shot. What got him in trouble at the time was the timing of it. The previous incident had got a bit tasty and he had personally just been spoken to and told to go and calm his team down. He was then dumb enough to put a high shot on 3 yards from the ref in the very next incident. I suspect Peacock picked him out on suspicion that he might be unable to control himself in that moment.

That, in my opinion, was what earned him 10 minutes "cooling off time." Rightly so. Any call for any additional punishment or the Sky team's ranting that it should have been a red card were totally over the top.

He cost his team for 10 minutes, I'd say he more than made up for it in the other 70.

Regarding the Peacock one I agree it wasn't too bad, the main problem was probably doing it 10 secs after the ref had him over for a talking to. Had it been any other Wigan player they might not have been binned. Ref probably did right on this occasion, had McIlorum/Bailey/Bateman stayed on then I reckon something else would've kicked off within minutes.

It might also be an example of past actions playing a part in the ref's thinking. "Just spoke to him, he's got previous, he still went charging in.....he needs to cool down for 10."

Fair post.

Agreed.

Spot on. I did think, however, that following Hull's Crookes sending off for a bad looking tackle that had no malicious intent, the officials might have been under instruction to show no tolerance.

Think that's just different ref's doing things their own way. Thaler might not have sent Crookes off if he'd have reffed that game, likewise Silverwood might not have sin binned anyone in our game.

Either way James Child would've made a b*ll*cks of the Leeds/Wigan game.

I think the key, as well as being different refs, was that the Crookes one did look much worse, and the contact actually was worse. Ref gets one look, as does the liner. Thaler had a much better view of the McIlorum shot as well.

Personally, I would say he is decent, but better around. He is important to Wigan, and that is what matters to them, so good luck to them. We only have to look at our own side over the years to see the importance of certain players and are not rated by opposition.

Given an option of hookers in super league, other than what we have, he would be about 5th in my own pecking order. But that is not a bad thing, as IMO we have a few good ones.

I personally think he should stick with Wigan, where he has worked to get himself that shirt, and positioned himself well. I don't think he would have the same impact at another club.

he's a far better loose than hooker for me

That comment is one to follow with interest.

He's so average it's untrue.
The Wigan fans were raving about his performance against you.
I watched it back. He made 5-6 tackles in the 1st 20 mins. Ran the ball once while Dudson Taylor and Bateman really held their own and more.
His tackle on Peacock was a cowards way out. He didn't bend his back to hit Peacock just went high at no risk to himself. His then immediate action was to look at the ref who he kept in eye contact with because he knew he was about to get slapped by Peacock.
Bateman on the other hand is one fearless little sod. What did he do to Bailey's head? Never shirked a thing. Took the ball up on his return from the bin whilst Mickey was nowhere to be seen for another 10 mins.
Don't believe the myth of this average thug.
There's 5-6 better hookers in the league
Roby
Lunt
Clarke
Houghton
Hodgson
Monaghen
I dare not post this on the Wigan board. You just get a bukakke of abuse if you dare criticise them.

You don't rate him then?

Still not sure Bateman did anything to Bailey's head. Most likely source of that cut that I could see on replays was a stray boot during the melee. Bailey and Bateman mainly just cuddled.

Bateman is no respecter of reputation. I've yet to be convinced there's much there to back up the swagger though. Time will tell.

I'd love to have a hooker as average as Micky mc ATM.

Roby is the best 9 in SL by a mile when on form, Micky and Lunt battle it out in second IMO

Am I missing the reason Danny Houghton always slips under the radar in these discussions? I don't see him play that often, but I've always been impressed when I have seen him. Tough, good work ethic, steers his pack around the park very well, picks his times to go from DH and does it well.

He's really good.

He needs to get out of Hull though and apply and develop his talents elsewhere otherwise he'll drown in mediocrity.

(maybe a bit OTT, but I'm that way out today)