I don't think Clarke's piece is all that bad to be honest. The silence from Leeds is deafening though. McDermott's been pretty outspoken against serious foul play on more than one occasion in the past and I had hoped that he (or GH) would make a similar point when a Leeds player was the culprit. If they're serious of removing it from the game that is, and not just from the opposition's repertoire.

Their failure to speak up means that it's the likes of Clarke and Powers who get to lead the debate.

To be fair that article itself isn't too bad. There's a few strange phrases in it which give away his feelings especially quoting Ferres disciplinary record.

The problem is I don't remember him sounding off so much when non-Wigan players are on the receiving end of such bad tackles. I may be wrong but I don't remember Clarke's outrage when Ferres was on the receiving end of a cannonball tackle from Chase or any other player from other clubs when Wigan were bringing in the cannonball tackle and other house tactics.

McDermott's pre game press conference is tomorrow, I'm sure it'll be discussed then.

In which case fair enough. I hope he speaks frankly, if it stops another tackle like that it'll be worth it.

Classic Clurkey.

In the mould of the old "I'm not racist but" style of poop throwing that's par for the course with this tool.

Always to be found spouting an opposite view, usually without merit or reason his true Goon bias has been showing through more and more and is becoming a running joke.

I whole-heartedly agree with the above posters assessment of the clubs silence on the matter, leaving the door open for grade A, jingoistic drivel from Clurky and Powers in the name of journalism.

Do you think if the club made some statement on the issue that would've stopped Clarke from writing that?

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.