That's an absolute BS suspension and I'd be livid if it was against us.

I'm pretty sure that between the g!mp referees and the MRP, they don't actually care about spectators, or the spectacle on show. It's all about them and their "mitigating factors", or "processes". No one in their right mind wants players sitting in the stands when they are fit to play, regardless of what they've done.

Fans and Sky deserve better, but sadly all that matters are the refs and the people above them.

I think you need go and have a quiet lie down

Red Vee have taken the news with maturity and class

Whilst largely agreeing there are a few who see it as I see it.
It’ll get drowned out in the noise, and that's part of the trouble they have, any descenting voices against the "There's an anti Saints conspiracy" is silenced by the vociferous minority (when I say minority I mean overall, not just in that board where they certainly are a majority).

Why? Because I don't buy into the brainwashed narrative?

Honestly, you come across as an intelligent guy, so I can't believe I have to spell out how simplistic this is...

Outside of the Grand Final, Friday is about as close as it comes to a game being what you'd call "box office". If there are neutrals out there with a passing interest in RL (which there are), then this is the game they are going to watch.

It's almost too obvious to point out that the easiest and most straightforward way to convert them - is to deliver the best spectacle possible on the pitch. Having the best players out there, is the quickest route to delivering that's. It's that simple.

Literally everyone has done their job this week. Both teams have raised the bar in recent years. The fans have sold out the stadium. Those who can't get tickets are scrambling around for them and those who can't go, will probably pack out the pubs to watch it. Those incharge of the game however, have decided to put an inform player in the stands. It's madness.

Want to see how it should be handled and how there's more at stake than just immediate "justice"? Read how Vegas approaches box office attractions rlhttps://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/7432860/floyd-mayweather-jr-avoids-jail-time-junerl

Ban Bell for the week after. Fine him more. FFS, just let the players play on Good Friday and let's do the fixture and sport the peg up it deserves.

Saints open this week as 2 point favourites with the bookies. About right. Would swing in our favourite if Dodd/Makinson/Knowles miss out.

If anyone has one spare ticket pls message me

Have you looked at what he did? (Bell)
Nope, sorry, you don't need to

Because it doesn't matter what they've done, they could literally decapitate someone, stamp on ankles/legs and snap them and it wouldn't matter
It's best for the game that players play no matter what they've done

As per previous response on other thread, I won't be going back amd forth on this, your stance on officials, name calling etc and the way you phrase their involvement in games isn't my style.
Last week Vella was pedantic beyond belief, it spoiled the game, butnid argue he was probably right on 95% of his decisions. IMO he just needs to learn how to manage the game better because.you literally could penalise someone in wvery tackle. He needs to work at that, and ill 100% guarantee that there'll be a whole lot kore goes into making that better, as with every ref and official than you will ever know.

It'll never be perfect, it never was

What a cop out. You're basically saying the development of refs and the MRP are the single most important thing the game needs to focus on.

Did you read the article I linked too?
Nope, sorry, you don't need to.

The RFL is always right in these matters. Other sports?? Pffffft, we don't need that malarkey around here. It's RL. What will they think of next? Maximising the potential for making money, or giving a toss about the fans on the terraces. That's crazy talk.

You admit he spoiled the game, but hey it doesn't matter as he was technically right with his calls. Let's all laugh at the mugs who sat in the freezing cold watching it. It's all about him at the end of the day. The mugs will keep turning up and the even bigger mugs will keep defending us.

You're enabling of the RFL and the refs helps no one. All it does is lead to situations where the sport continues to decline.

That sures me thought Wigan would have been

Can't see why you would think that. Saints at home, unbeaten apart from the red card game and Wigan haven't won at your place in several years. Also, despite winning, we haven't been playing particularly well. Saints favourites although not by a lot.

Are Saints not appealing the ban? They have form recently and it's proven to be mostly successful.

Don’t think we’ve won at Saints in front of fans in about 6 years. Pretty sure it was under Wane.