HDM seem to think that "due to some confusion", Kelly's ban started at the same time as Satae, so he isn't available for the wigan match.

It baffles me how a ban can be dished out from A reserve fixture but then future reserve games don’t count towards the ban !

Does that mean that Kelly can still take part in reserve games whilst been banned from super league games ?

It doesn't make any sense to me, we've played 2 SL games since the 2 match ban was imposed. Even reserve games count if there is no SL match on the same weekend.
Hopefully, it's the HDM getting it all wrong.

I just don't see how that's even possible. He got banned and was unavailable for two games. Those games have now been and gone. Where has this even come from?

This is what the HDM say...

@Brooksyhfc: Is Albert Kelly free to play this weekend?

No he is not, he will serve the second game of his ban this weekend unfortunately. There has been some confusion regarding the start date of his suspension, but with the offence coming while playing for the reserves, it seems the ban actually started at the same time of Chris Satae’s.

As such, both will be free to play next week against Catalans Dragons.

Kelly missed the Rovers and Saints games .
Is that not 2 matches ? Otherwise he was available for the derby ?

… looking at the crazy rules, it looks like the HDM could be right. I can't cut and paste the relevant text because it's a wretched flip-book. 1/3 the way down P187. https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... html#p=186

… looking at the crazy rules, it looks like the HDM could be right. I can't cut and paste the relevant text because it's a wretched flip-book. 1/3 the way down P187. https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... html#p=186

Well that, is an absolute pi55 take!

The rovers match didn't count, but then the reserve match @wigan (which would have counted) was postponed.

Abandoned or postponed matches don't count towards a ban.

Catch22.

Infact, it looks like only reserve games will count towards his ban, because he hasn't played SL yet this season??

I’d be challenging that.

It makes a mockery of the reserve grade.

Got it....



So the reserve game against Newcastle Thunder next weekend is the one that counts as the 2nd game of the ban, assuming it is played. The reserve game after that is another 2 weeks away.

Yeah, that’s the bit I found. So basically, if there are no more reserve games then Kelly is effectively banned forever.

You'd have thought that being selected in the SL squad prior to a ban would have been more logical than actually having to play a game.
As you say, he may never play again.

The HDM have now explained why Kelly won't play @ wigan. They've made it all up. (Nothing new there then.) https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... fc-3861044

The HDM have now explained why Kelly won't play @ wigan. They've made it all up. (Nothing new there then.) https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... fc-3861044