Some good points here. I'm not a fan of violence on the pitch for the sake of it and personaly I don't miss thuggery of the sort that shattered Ellery Hanleys jaw right in front of me at the Boulevard many years ago, but it is a physical confrontation. It makes me chuckle when I see people complaining at the "antics" of Gareth Hock for example, who IMO uses physical imtimidation very effectively on the pitch. I can remember even recently Phil Clarke creaming himself at one point during Leeds / Saints game (2009 I think), the one where Senior gave Wilkin a slap and Lee Smith fought a running battle with Lee Gilmour. It was by far the most excited I've ever seen the guy. That was a great match to watch for many reasons, but when you added the fact that these teams were likely to meet in the GF that was coming up it was real theatre.

It's as though TV executives have decided that the game can't be skilfull and full on. We know that's utter nonsense. It's not just league, you see it in Union now. The number of penalties at the breakdown is truly rediculous (Wales and Scotland proving this). The innability of players to clear the ruck with their feet may appeal to the weak stomached and sensitive little flowers that the respective Unions wish to attract to the game but it's ruined the game and made the referee the single most important factor in the game.

I don't want to see a return to 'thugby league' no more than you do. There should be no place in the sport for Dannatt's off the ball forearm/elbow assault on Hanley and thankfully we're agreed that the sport has come a long way since those type of challenges were around.



There was an interesting incident in the Hull - Castleford game at the weekend. Two players had a brief exchange of blows (Tickle and Hauraki) which IMO was a sin-binning at the most but you then had Carney running in and hitting anything that moved. Carney should have been the one sent off - not Tickle and Hauraki.

I agree entirely regarding the Castleford incident and your view of which cards should have gone where.

I''ve always been of the belief that a couple of big lads squaring up and giving each other a little slap is something a referee should be able to sort out on the pitch without binning anyone unless they really do need to go and cool off for 10.

I agree with you, someone running in from nowhere and swinging should be removed from the field for being a knob.

Totally agree with this very harsh on Tickle and even more so on Hauraki even saying that i thought Carney would be the only one banned aswell.

Tickle and Hauraki got a match and Carney got 2 which supports the view he was the worst offender.

True but i thought it was harsh on the other 2 tbh and imo it proves once again the disciplinary is a farce in SL.

Aww bless! What's up grumpy? Your 'farmers' swelled up? We are having our annual banter with the Fartown fans who come on here after they win and we joust for a bit. It's all done in jest. We can't all be serious, know-everythings like you otherwise it'd be a forum full of Jeffs and no one wants that. You obviously have a high opinion of yourself. However, it's a rugby forum and no one cares. You've got some "issues" so I'll leave you to work on them! Tschuss!

The NRL introduced the "third man" ruling a few years ago. Basically if two guys start belting each other, then there'll be a penalty one way or the other (usually for the original offence), but if a third player comes running in swinging, its they that face the biggest penalties. IIRC the idea was to prevent mass brawls, which can be a bit ugly.



What helped was the fact that the NRL made it clear to everyone how they were going to rule on these things, so fans and players alike know what to expect.

There is nothing wrong with banter but the guy you acted like an ignoramus with was slating down both sets of fans for acting like little kids. Then you go and act like a child with him when he wasn't even joining in with the "banter" or attempting to troll. That's why I picked your post out.



Jeff is a good part of the forum too. He knows his stuff and knows how to get bites. He does it in an intellectual way, obviously too advanced for your tiny brain to comprehend. That's why the majority get defensive with him and start with the insults. I'm not even serious on here. It just annoys me when cretins like you make the rest of us look like total ar[is[/ies.



As for me having a high opinion of myself? Don't be daft. I just tell it how it is. 3 or 4 years ago this board was awesome. It had a lot of traffic and people actually had good conversations. It annoys me what it has become.

I was having a friendly gibe with opposition fans who had come onto OUR board by the way. Also it was a valid point. When it really mattered - we won!

I agree with your point about insults!

I consider someone who states that how they tell it is 'how it is' to have a high opinion of themselves.

Now get back to entertaining everyone on here with the weather conditions in Georgia.

Wisconsin actually