You are right that Fielden could have had his ankle broken, but it was Fielden who carried the whole episode on. He was the one having a go at the marker.

I'm not condoning what Mason did - far from it, I think it was despicable - but you if you retaliate and cause a punch up, then you can reasonably expect to be punished. Players get cited for all sorts of things all the time, especially when there are cameras all over the place, so there was no need to 'sort things out' there and then. It's not rocket science to find the incident on tape after the game and refer the incident to the RFL, is it?

I appreciate a player's view may be clouded in the heat of the moment, but these players are professionals after all. Rugby League is supposed to be the toughest of tough sports, not a violent sport, where you can just belt someone when they do something you don't like.

Don't agree. The punch up was destined to start when Mason came wading in!!
Was he bad mouthing the marker, I'm not sure. I think he could have been complaining to the ref for the lack of action taken, if you look you will see that Riddell also complains about it.

I'm sorry. The RFL got it wrong and Fielden should have a good case to appeal his ban. Sin bin sufficient.

Totally agree.

And i strongly suspect that without Fieldens reaction the issue would of even been raised, after all it was only Brian Carney who spotted the incident on the initial replay following Masons charge at Fielden.

If you put the livelehood of another player at risk then a punch up is the very least you can expect even from the most mild mannered of players.

Fielden actually deserves credit for not punching the marker!

If he pled guilty to fighting then it wont be possible to appeal, if i am correct

If that is the case then I'm looking forward to seeing the playoffs with teams reduced to 9 men and one match bans handed out.

He can appeal against the punishment.

Reading the case would suggest he wont get a reduction in his ban! Griffin as been charged for throwing 1 punch, nowt about his scratch!! and Mason didnt throw any! (But according to the Huddersfield fans Fielden was given a pasting) While fielden threw a few!!

I think Fielden and Griffin have been hard done by. Mason deserves the 3 games, it sends out a message stamping isn't acceptable.

Having watched it back, i think most people would agree the verbals started as a result of the stamp on his ankle, Fielden thought one of the markers was the culprit and was probably telling them what he thought. Griffin was probably wondering what Fielden was moaning about (him not knowing what Mason had done either) he was probably giving it back telling him to stop being soft or words to that affect

I'd imagine with both Fielden and Griffin getting pumped up and giving each other verbals, Fielden probably didn't even notice Mason coming in from the side, but felt the push/shove/punch whatever. I think with Fielden learning the hard way with Willy Mason a few years back on hesitating, he felt the contact, and thought i'm not getting knocked out again and started throwing and starts swinging. By this point Mason has been dragged away and it's all going off.

Mason is the instigator of a situation that would never have occured had he not stamped on Fielden and then jumped into a heated situation between to innocent parties. Mason causes a fight to start and these two lads now serve a ban for it?

Will also be interesting to see how many bans are dished out for fighting in the remaining games of the season?

Give over talking sense!! Some people still cant see it pan out this way after numerous replays!

Snip....
Absolutely spot on.....

Why do officials never try to break up a brawl?
surley either they and or stewards should be drafted in to break up the brawlers

Under RFL guidelines, they aren't allowed to.

Shame prob because I few would recieve a few sly digs! Defence being you got in the way!!