IMO it was a poor tackle, clumsily executed. I certainly don't think it warrants the severity of the charge.

What I don't think anyone can comment on is intent though. Only one person can comment on that and that is the player during the hearing. As much as you can say as a fan "he's not that sort of player, there's no intent" - fact is that no one really knows what is going through a player's head on the pitch.

And I'm absolutely NOT saying I think he had intent but just that I don't think trying to judge an individual's motives is necessarily useful.

A huge number of great players would never have gone on to international greatness if that was the case. Barrie McDermott, when he was still Barry, did a worse one on Paul Sironen in that there was absolutely no doubt about his intentions. Mick Cassidy's was as bad. (Not that Cassidy was an international great).

Mick Cassidys attack on Adrian Morley was probably the worst I've seen. Horrendous. I do recall Cassidy however made a public apology. He should probably have apologised for being incredibly overrated, but anyway.

I'm all for heroes and villains, but even Rangi Chase has pushed that boundary. His silence tells me a little of his character. Or therein lack of.

The worst part for me was that after a week of silence the line from Chase/Cas in response to a public outcry was that he'd tried to contact Ropati but hadn't been able to.

Is it that far to drive from Castleford to Featherstone.

It's getting past the barricades that is the problem.

Is it also that hard to ring up and leave a contact number.

Again, had Elima, Bailey, Lima et al performed assault on a fellow pro, the boards would be in meltdown.