Very bizarre stuff at Saints tonight. Great game - not sure what the fuss is over the supposed shoulder charge - the defender's left arm was around the attacker on contact. The normally pleasant Konrad Hurrell kicks drinks bottles all over the place after a red card for direct contact to the head, Walmsley has to drag Percival off the pitch and a few fans shouting all sorts at Rohan Smith at the end.

Saints probably a little emotionally drained after the WCC and lost a close one - not sure why it led to all of the anger given their recent success. Though I guess when you get used to winning then losing becomes harder to stomach.

We as fans of the sport are always quick to give out grief, but i think it is worth saying how much better everything seems to be this year. Common sense being used in the reviews, a higher quality of product on show then we have had for years (imo anyway, i have really enjoyed all the games i have seen so far this year bar Hull KR ), good attendences all around and genuine attempts to make matchdays feel more of an event. There is a good buzz around the league at the moment off the back of the world cup and WCC. Great but simple decisions like this are little things that all factor into keeping that momentum going. I am genuinely excited to see how the sport progresses in the next 5 years as that feels like the way we are going for the first time in a long while.

I have no doubt that a few years ago we would be here slagging off the RFL for the terrible decision they no doubt would have made by banning Marshall, feels good to be able to say well done for once.

I may be in a minority but I didn't think there was that much wrong with the Watts/Wardle one
He didn't "Shoulder" charge him in my view, he had his arm out and hit Wardle across his chest IMO
If Wardle had any Head issues it may have been from the landing or the Whiplash but not from any direct contact/shoulder

If this happened in the Saints game i can only apologise as i have not seen it due to being at the Wigan game so couldn't possibly comment.

Edit - If this statement is factual though, hopefully the referee does see disaplinary for completely dismissing an important call which then got flagged by others in the review room. I know this wouldn't help Saints in this scenario but it's about the best that could be done in that situation as that would be unacceptable if it was viewed multiple times by the video ref and on field referee.

I haven't seen it, but if it was a shoulder charge and it was blatant and obvious then the blame should probably go with the VR for not getting involved and letting the ref know.