I suspect most players from all teams would have been given a similar reaction. Even a player with an outstanding reputation wouldn't have been excused for this no matter which team they played for - and Flower has been involved in a few bad incidents previously. Other players from other teams with unsavoury reputations would have been given similar treatment - Ryan Bailey comes to mind. Even someone like Kevin Sinfield who has a good record and reputation wasn't seen in a good light when he was sent off this season.

I don't think every team has the same reputation as Wigan either - so maybe you're partly right in that respect, the reaction might have been different had it not been Wigan. You have to take the rough with the smooth in that respect. You've had some success with the style adopted, but you have to be able to take criticism too.

Since Michael Maguire coached Wigan - the Wigan team has played close to the wire and sometimes beyond it! It leaves a bad taste in mouth of other teams when a style is adopted that is aggressive to the point of being questionable and distasteful to some. Shaun Wane has taken this style further with the introduction of a local Wigan-bred mentality in your head coach and has taken that aggressiveness further. His use of language in the build up to matches (particularly against Saints) is over the top in my opinion and not very professional. This obviously riles other sets of supporters and coaching/management teams who will therefore take more pleasure in seeing Wigan lose in such circumstances.

Rant over.

I'm guessing they are Union fans? No doubt you can find several eye gauging incidents to counteract that.

That is the problem though I agree. As usual we get press now that something unsavoury has happened.

Personally I think the ban will be time specific as opposed to number of matches.

Here's my two penny worth:

1. LH tries to impede BF when he's chasing the kick (happens most weeks and sometimes penalised)
2. BF swings an arm and makes contact, probably with his bicep, enough to knock LH off balance (happens most weeks and is seldom penalised)
3. LH chases BF who is then involved with the play as he attempts to collect the ball. As LH gets there though, BF is no longer involved in the play but LH has fired himself up and jumps up with both arms into BF - Not sure it is leading with elbow but more like pushing with forearms. (happens and would normally result in a penalty to BF's team and likely put on report).
4. BF swings punch as LH is standing in front of him, facing him (happens and would usually result in red or penalty to LH team and on report. Not sure a yellow can be given for that foul play)
5. BF stands over barely conscious LH, holds his shirt collar and punches him in the face (not sure what punishment as not seen that before).

I'd imagine that if Flower hadn't have delivered the second punch, he would still have been sent off for the first one but that is open to debate. As the second one is so bad, it makes the first one look acceptable...the rough and tumble of the game. And for those who say you can't expect to make contact with someone and not expect something in return, then surely this can go someway to LH's reason for jumping up at Flower following on from the contact while turning to chase the kick?

Notwithstanding our personal opinions from watching the same thing, it was bad for all parties concerned and portrays our sport in a poor light. I do, however, wish Flower good luck over the next few months and hope he has the chance to get back on with what is a better than average career.

Can you summarise it for those outside the LW circulation area?

I think they'll do that purely because it will look like a more severe punishment.

Without working out the specifics, an 8 month ban will be the same as a 10-12 game ban.

Charged with Grade F. Suggest we close this and move to the other to stop duplication, thanks.