They did. 5 matches for a high tackle is probably the highest punishment for this offence that they have given for years (and quite rightly too as it was a bad one).

There is no issue with sending letters to players, and it helps to then throw a ban at them if they continue.

Watch it again.

I was of the same opinion until I did.

Riddell got there but it would have been almost impossible for Fielden to get an accurate pass out.

Eveytime he handed/ bumped a player off another one was straight on him.

Been saying for a number of years that I would penalise the player in possession more at the PTB for various reasons.

Kicking out, throwing the ball back,Crawling on their knees and most infuriatling of all "Walking off the mark"

I spotted this 2 mins into the game.

Spoke to a friend of mine (Aussie Ref who is likely to get some games over here soon, he's currently reffing NL1) and he agreed that walking off the mark is becoming more prevelant.

I agree. Unfortunately the way our game is reffed at the moment the attacking player is almost always going to get the penalty in these situations. Unless there was a complete turn around from the refs on the way the game is viewed (quick ptb at all costs) then this is always going to be the case.

We're obsessed with this quick play the ball. All we then get are "scooters" from dummy half.

It's meant a virtual end to ball playing forwards and half backs.

Very true and although i makes our game faster it doesn't necessarily mean it's making it more skill full or even more fun to watch. I’d rather watch the NRL style anyway as the emphasis is on skill and not constant speed like SL.

Some Stains fans may come on here and try to shoot me down but give me a younger Newton or Cameron Smith/Robbie Farah any day of the week over a player like Roby. I’ve yet to see him truly control a game from start to finish in the way the above mentioned can.

Hence No Natural "Ball Players" who have to Craft open a Defense rather than do it off the back of quick PTB's.
As soon as we come against half decent defenses our "Star" half backs are clueless!

The best GB have is still Long and he has reinvented himself 200/2006 to becomethe player he is now instead of the Pacey/Support player of previous years.

I wouldn't put that down to them having 'no' skill

I think the WCC showed that point completely.

Manly had awesome ball skill while Leeds were just grafting away.

The NRL is so far in front its not even worse discussing. All we can do effectively over here is "scoot" which leads to Eddie wetting his pants and droning on about SL this and that.

As proved in the world cup, once "Scoot" meets a decent defence, we really do have nothing.