You seriously can't see the difference between a normal fight and hitting someone who was knocked out on the floor?

To follow your logic, it may therefore be a PR exercise by the RFL...

What do you mean? They gave him a long ban as a PR exercise? Even if they did I don't see what that has to do with Wigan doing what they have.

You don't think Flower should be offered support?

Support is one thing, counselling is quite another!

Why does he need counseling or rehabilitation?

The support he needed from Wigan was for them to ensure this didn't turn into a witch hunt. Sadly I think IL has been swept along with the complete BS that came out from McManus and Saints. Talk of rehab is completely unneeded and plays into the hands of the anti wigan mob.

We should have circled the horses and kept this in house. Unhelpfull comments should have been shot down/refuted by the club as they needed to stand by thier man.

Joel Monaghan needs counselling for an internet show of bestiallity (his "friends/teammates" are on rocky ground for posting to the internet too). Sean Long and Martin Gleeson, having committed a pre-meditated betting against their own team in what looks awfully like match fixing needed punishment and far more public derision than they got.

Ben Flower needs support for the utterly ridiculous witch hunt around a retaliatory action.

Can I have some counselling?

I was traumatised so badly that increasingly I'm struggling to recall the incident. I can only assume I'm suppressing the memory of such a horrific act.

The two guys involved could probably sit down with a beer, a quick apology and I'd bet they'd be fine and all forgotten. Stick opposing fans down and you'd probably end up with a fight. Quite pathetic really.

Just let this go, it's embarrassing now.

I didn't think it was that uncommon for clubs to fine players separately from the RFL if they believe a player has breached their contract in some way (presumably in this case some kind of general disrepute clause)?

I don't have a problem with him getting a long ban or fine, but at some stage (hopefully now) a line is drawn in the sand and he's allowed to move on. Unless he becomes some kind of serial offender, then he ought to be able to get on with his career from this point onwards.

ugh, why is this thread still going.....

Because it's still a topic worth discussing, which is what these forums are designed for.

Back on topic, it'll be interesting to see how Flower will cope with the attention on his return. Everyone will have their eyes on him and it won't be easy for a naturally aggressive player to hold back or curb his aggression. I hope it doesn't affect him as a player as he is a very good prop.