Sadly, I'm losing interest in our game.
Hardcore fans are becoming disillusioned.
Instead of trying to attract new fans, unfortunately the game is doing the opposite.
And with belts tightening everywhere in the current climate, I fear a part-time future.

We (Saints) have been on the receiving end of some ridiculous bans but Martin's takes the biscuit .
A slightly careless tackle , which doesn't even result in a sin bin on the day, ends up as 2 game ban.
The MRP is making a mockery of the game .

Dick.

How on earth can it be frivolous when there was no intent.
It`s not even clumsy as its more of a slap in a downward motion which catches Mellor on his nose.
No malice and no intent it happens in all ages of rugby from 10 year olds upwards.
It is such a bad decision that they should be made to justify it compared to the incidents by Kasiano and Tomkins.
I know it`s a stupid idea but we should just throw the game and refuse to tackle any of their players in case they get banned.
Lets see what the RFL come up with then.

Only as daft a comment as someone claiming it's bias.

Perfectly worded and sums it all up..

Best thing we can do now is make this an incentive/ reason to turn over Catalans and stick 2 fingers up to the RFL. I'd love to know what Rohan Smith thought of this shambles!! F÷@k you RFL.

It’s farcical. Big game with a SKY audience. Everyone wants to see the best players in a competitive game. Martin on a goal kicking record run too, which adds interest. And now look ….! We need a breakaway league, before there’s no fans left……

Agree completely. The MRP is, in effect, saying under no circumstances challenge our decisions. That's not the action of a bona fide body confident in its decision making process or satisfied that those decisions are made via a sound process and are evidence based and can be held up to scrutiny. Surely all clubs can see that next time it could be them. Joint representation may be the catalyst for changing this utter shambles.

Well thats me pretty much done as a paying supporter, been to 1 game this year doubt i’l
Go next year, I had my eye on some world cup games but F***the RFL. also my sky sports deal is up this month won’t renew, get the NFL season pass most of my other sports fix are on Eurosport

Think it`s more incompetence than bias mate.
Like some have said the bans Bentley, Tetavano and Newman received were justified.
The last 2 bans Martin`s received are a joke compared to others.

I just don’t see how this all gets sorted out to the satisfaction of everyone?

They won’t be allowed to do it as no doubt it’s in the operational rules that the member clubs cannot take such action, BUT if they could/did, I’m sure that if the clubs ‘lawyered up’ and took this whole system to a ‘proper’ court as opposed to this Kangaroo court we currently have that they would be able to tie the RFL/MRP in knots and show this process to be the farce it is.

The only other option to bring about change would be if the players got together and went on strike next season, but again that’s not going to happen either.

So if the clubs/law makers cannot bring about sensible change through negotiations/meetings in the close season, I fear we are stuck with this and just counting down the days until the players are either padded up and helmeted like in the NFL or are wearing tags on their shorts and ‘tackling’ is removed from the game.

No one minds hefty bans for serious foul play but no way accidental contact that has always been a consequence of playing the game warrants the kind of bans we have seen this season.

A players union would be useful. You look at most major sports this is where most change comes from. There are examples of recent ‘lock outs’ in the likes of the NBA. And the NFL had them change off-season practices to prevent injuries I believe.

The NRL has a strong players union, and it has lead to some positives such as less fixtures. Granted it’s probably had a negative impact on internationals but the point is they have enough power to force change. To my knowledge we’ve never had one in SL. I vaguely remember Garreth Carvell attempting to set one up?

Do either the match review panel (or Leeds for that matter) ever release the basis or evidence of the appeal? I think it would be easy to deem whether it fits the wording of ‘frivolous’.

Wigan fan here

John Bateman was penalised for a high tackle last Friday that wasn’t much different to Rhyse Martins . Just poorly timed with no intent , and he’s not been banned ( and rightly so ) . I don’t see the difference, and that’s what winds fans up.

Our sport is a pale shadow of its former self. The governing body is slowly strangling RL towards a slow painful death.

Good luck at Catalan ! You’ll probably need some to be fair

Wigan fan here said early on if Martin appeals he would definitely get the ban removed, this is a outrageous decision 2 games for a accidental foul.