What didn't happen?

Bugger all this talk about Walsh now, he is fine there is no issue.

After his performance I think it is far more appropriate to talk about Matty Smith, top class performance, he seemed to be at the heart of everything that we did.

I think this could be the season he looks to make the 7 jersey his for England.

It should have been his for the WC but thats an arguement for another day

Can't argue with that, developing into a fine player - and one with a mindset suited to international RL too I reckon.

Disciplinary verdict on the Ben Flower tackle, "No charge. Tackle is marginally late. Player has arms down and makes a legitimate attempt to tackle".
Maybe Nathan Brown should wait before spouting his allegations - or maybe he's trying to send a message for referees in the future.

The horribly late shoulder charge or vicious attack to the head dependent upon which comment you choose to read.


Disciplinary verdict on the Ben Flower tackle, "No charge. Tackle is marginally late. Player has arms down and makes a legitimate attempt to tackle".

So it was a late tackle then?

No, it was Marginal.

I wish people would have the intelligence and common sense to formulate a reasoned opinion. Coaches play mind games all the time, it amazes me how many people fall for it. It's not a criticism aimed at Brown (although he's worse than most) or St Helens' fans just a general observation.

Lighten up mate!

You'll see plenty of late tackles week in and week out. Was it meant to injure Walsh ? I don't think so. Brown needs to remember that this is RL not a knitting circle. When Saints commit such an action I hope he is as quick to come out and condemn his player!

Quote ="Sweaty Betty's"You'll see plenty of late tackles week in and week out. Was it meant to injure Walsh ? I don't think so. Brown needs to remember that this is RL not a knitting circle. When Saints commit such an action =#FF0000I hope he is as quick to come out and condemn his player!'" I doubt it. When Meli committed one of the worst tackles you could imagine on Craig Hall he said “It was just a reflex action and that can happen when you’re out wide as an outside back defender when there’s big spaces. www.youtube.com/watch?v=INzmrDRAtSU

Quote ="Sweaty Betty's"You'll see plenty of late tackles week in and week out. Was it meant to injure Walsh ? I don't think so. Brown needs to remember that this is RL not a knitting circle. When Saints commit such an action =#FF0000I hope he is as quick to come out and condemn his player!'" I doubt it. When Meli committed one of the worst tackles you could imagine on Craig Hall he said “It was just a reflex action and that can happen when you’re out wide as an outside back defender when there’s big spaces. www.youtube.com/watch?v=INzmrDRAtSU

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I doubt it. When Meli committed one of the worst tackles you could imagine on Craig Hall he said “It was just a reflex action and that can happen when you’re out wide as an outside back defender when there’s big spaces. www.youtube.com/watch?v=INzmrDRAtSU'" Haha. Anyone who understands the sport will know that the Meli incident was a pure instinctive reaction. He just through an arm out. It wasn't malicious or intentional and I'm certain that you know that already!

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I doubt it. When Meli committed one of the worst tackles you could imagine on Craig Hall he said “It was just a reflex action and that can happen when you’re out wide as an outside back defender when there’s big spaces. www.youtube.com/watch?v=INzmrDRAtSU'" Haha. Anyone who understands the sport will know that the Meli incident was a pure instinctive reaction. He just through an arm out. It wasn't malicious or intentional and I'm certain that you know that already!

Serious question, which was more dangerous? Meli nearly decapitating Hall or Flower running into Walsh late?

Had Hall stepped Meli maybe I would agree but he didn't. It was an old fashioned "clothes line" tackle. Meli knew what he was doing and got what he deserved.

This was the RFL view.
Rule: 15.1(b) Detail: High Tackle – Intentional – stiff arm tackle – no attempt to tackle legitimately – violent Grade E

I can't take you seriously when you're suggesting decapitation.

I disagree. I admit it looked awful, really bad. But haven't played and watched the sport for many years, I know that it was an instinctive reaction. Meli isn't a dirty player, I don't believe there was intent. And are you sure you're watching the same video? Hall quite clearly swerves and changes direction! Take your blinkers off for once!

The RFL didn't think so did they?

What part of intentional stiff arm do you not understand?

So because a couple of blokes on a panel have an opinion, that makes it factual?

If you didn't think there was anything wrong with something a Wigan player did, and then the disciplinary panel gave him a ban, would your opinion change?

A couple of completely neutral people, ex players and referees. Not biassed spectators.
If was as obvious as that Meli one I very much doubt it. However it appear that you don't agree with them.

Quelle surprise.

Looks like everybody is wrong bar you YG... That's worrying...

I don't, and many people at the time didn't, including Wigan and Hull KR fans.

I'm ok with people disagreeing, that's life. You seem to think everything is clear cut and black and white. It isn't.

You didn't answer my question anyway. If you believed a Wigan player was innocent but was found guilty by the disciplinary panel, would you change your mind?

Try having a conversation without the hostility.

having just seen the clip of meli,how you can sit there and say it wasnt malicious or intentional is beyond me! I'm still shaking my head at your reply, meli doesnt even attempt to make a tackle..its a stiff arm direct to halls head.

I'm with the Giraffe on this one. It was certainly a bad challenge and deserved a red card and a big ban. However i don't understand how anyone can categorically state it was intentional. The only person who would know was Meli. It certainly wasn't the 'reaction' high tackle as Brown was claiming as those occur after a sidestep and the defender sticking out an arm.

I played the game for long enough to know it is possible to stiff arm someone and knock them out without intending to do it it. Sometimes defenders simply get it wrong.

Correct, it was a stiff arm to hall's head. However, I am certain that that wasn't Meli's intention. What he did was instinctively throw an arm out when Hall swerved to Meli's right. It was clumsy, ugly and potentially dangerous, but I maintain that it wasn't intentional or malicious.

To be honest mate this is exactly what happened in my opinion.