Quote: DemonUK "What is it with this 'early guilty plea'. It would seem when a player is charged with a Grade A offence the recommended sanction is No Further Action - 1 game. If the early guilty plea is made by the player, then they seem to get the lower of the range of sanctions. The same seems to apply to the more serious offences too. If they put in an 'early guilty plea' then they get the lowest number of games recommended under the disciplinary system. Methinks the RFL disciplinary doesn't actually want to be bothered sitting.'"
It's the serious offences that I take issue with. I believe that a player who is guilty of serious foul play should suffer the full consequences of his actions, especially if an opponent is injured in the incident.
From all (Fev) accounts, Smeaton's was a minor misdemeanour and his previous good record was taken into account - although he's not been playing that long has he? It would appear that Gallagher and Littler's good record was also taken into account, although I think their 'good behaviour has stretched over something like 11 and 16 years respectively!