I have to agree with the Pie, pal...now dont get me wrong I'm not condoning it, smoothing it over or considering it was anything short of a red card...
but he does look to hesitate about that punch for a fraction of a second and he does kind of roll it as opposed to following through.
It's almost as if he did think about it but thought he would lose face if he pulled out of the punch. When he put his hands to his head it wad like he was saying to himself why didn't I pull out of that punch?

you watch it again in slow motion, there is definitely a pause... Perhaps he was looking to home in with the punch as to put it on his nose? Yet I don't see it as that, the 1st punch hurt him that 2nd didn't.

If there was a pause then surely that makes the punch more intentional .

well it certainly does seem to indicate that it was though about!

It is not the greatest publicity for the game right now. But I think a lot of people will be looking forward to next good Friday. In football a ban tends to end just before the return grudge match, People will want to see Flower play in the next game against saints so that we can all see the reaction. Football is all about the soap opera that goes on away from the pitch, I just hope sky ramp up the hype because that is one thing they are very good at.

I'm amazed people are so surprised, you see it every week with Wigan. Ratch was taken out last year and we lost players against them this year, only a matter of time till their hoose tactics cost them. Horrible team, horrible coach and horrible hooligan wannabe fans.

Fully agree about the tactics, and it was only a matter of time before it caught up with them, hope now somebody at Wigan realises this. Don't agree with the fans comment though, yes there are you usuall glory hunters but we all get them from time to time. mr Wane needs to take a fair bit of the responsibility a: his comments pre match B: the half time team talk down under. A great insight into how he coaches and the shi@house tactics he encourages.

There is one person who I blame for this incident and it is Shaun Wane, having watched the Warriors Down Under documentary, it really does show what a little scroat he is. His tactics are poop house ones and the way he gets his players up for it is to maim someone. What was one of his comments from it, go and knock them out, I cant give you much more free reign than that. That about sums it up.

Did you work for The News of the World

He is right about the depth of exposure
When was the last time a nobody or even a somebody from RL was top of trending on twitter?

All over Talksport today. Part of me is thinking we need this controversy to publicise the sport.

Saints have all but one of their halfbacks out injured. The one halfback they do have on the field is knocked-out of the game by thuggery in the second minute after the Ape has spent the week talking-up his 'hatred' of Saints and his 'do what it takes' attitude to winning. Coincidence ? I don't think so. The more I think about it the more I think it was a decision by Wane to target Lance Hohaiai (yes I know its spelt incorrectly) and put him out of the game like the did Ratchford last year.

Every team in SL will at some point be aggressive in their approach to certain games, but the Goons got what they deserved on Saturday having got away with it for the past few seasons..... whether it be cannonball tackles, late shoulder charges, high shots, or just punching a man already incapacitated on the ground.

Flower will be held to account for his actions by the RL and cop a grade F ban. I'm guessing Wane won't be for his admission through his own words of the house tactics he employs.

Interesting to read on my SS News App that GMP are speaking to St Helens & the CPS about potentially bringing charges against Flower.

I agree absolutely with 'Anozira', 'Johnkendal' and 'comeonyouWolves'. Nothing as bad as this, but all season Wigan have gone out to rough up the opposition and take it close to the illegal. Very clear in the games against Leeds and you could say it worked. Of course it's a tough game but if you go too far it can take away some of the skill and perhaps it's no surprise that something like this happens eventually. Perhaps a part of the blame should fall on shoulders other than that of the player himself.

I have also wondered for some time why yellow cards are not used more often. If they were such an approach might not seem quite so attractive.

+1. I'll be surprised if charges are bought.
I think it is more of the police showing a profile, being in seen as in a position to act as a warning to others in amateur level not to think that it won't be acted upon.

what does a grade f carry..is it a long ban..???

8 matches