The thing is, they are hauled in front of the camera or at least their mistakes are. I remember the 1st game of last season Vs KR. The young KR winger had a bit of a mare under the high ball and sky showed it repeatedly. The lad couldn't have been more than 20/21 - didn't stop the commentators going in at him. If a ref makes a howler then nothing is said, or it's certainly not brought up over and over again. Worse still they simply ignore it and put it down to player error. Case in point this weekend - Ipape had a clear ball steal against him given as loose carry (think it was on 38 mins or so). The TV clearly shows the hand in there, but all the commentators say is "what a costly error" etc.

Should be interesting reading which ever way it goes, one would assume Saints think they've got a watertight reason for appealing even if they don't get it reduced/overturned, an extra game for a frivolous appeal really would test Saints strength in depth in the pack

Agreed. Wellens did say that they don't appeal every ban just those where they feel we have a real chance to win. As you say though an extra game would leave us desperately short given the losses already.

Its not just RL though is it? Owen Farrell has just won his appeal so that was the wrong decision and even though I'm a Utd fan, how Wolves never got a penalty last night I'll never know. The ref and the VAR team have now all been dropped for next weeks game as a result.

On the Saints site saying lost the appeal.

Yeah lost the ban but no extra game.

I think they have done away with the extra game ban, at least I have not seen reference to it since earlier in the season.

Can't wait to hear Wello's presser this week

All jokes aside, since Wellens went in on the RFL failing to protect players, he’s had one of his own players doing an Asiata style tackle and he’s then seen his club appeal a ban that looks pretty clear cut. They’re not making things easy for him on his crusade to protect the games players and make it safer for ‘everyone’ concerned.

Are we close to Matty Lees missing more games than he's played yet? He's not a dirty player though.

The next one from the angels over the hill will be that because the RFL aren't protecting their players they've taken it into their own hands. Morgan Knowles will be in his element.

They are appealing the tribunal verdict again.

It's poor from Saints IMO. It shows a complete disrespect for the process. Whilst we all think it's a sham of an organisation, there has to be some acceptance of the decisions.

Surely clubs can't just keep appealing until they get the outcome they want? I know on at least two occasions this season, Wigan have wanted to appeal certain bans but have decided not to and just begrudgingly accepted the bans.

They continue to undermine Wellens and his desire to make the game safer for all.

Fine 'em a marquee players wages

Says more about how dumb we are on these kind of things, than it does anything else. Wonder if KR has thought about sending them a bottle of whiskey? Wouldn't want them getting upset with us.

Hope Saints fail and take it to the Court of Arbitration. Get some extra eyes on it & turn it into a media circus.