Just got back from a lunchtime drink with 3 old pals. By a majority verdict we agreed that not to ban Harry Smith just before the Penrith match was a highly suspect decision by the RL panel.
Nevertheless, we are all looking forward to watching a cracking game (free) on the BBC.
Five of us heading to the Piedome on Saturday. Setting off reasonably early, and having a bite to eat somewhere in (or on the way to) Wigan.
The Smith (non) suspension suggests (to me anyway) of favouritism, but he'll still be the hard pushed to get the better of a certain Mr Cleary.
I predicted (and was proved wrong) twelve months ago that "Saints won't get near Penrith!" But I reckon they've learned from, and I'm going for the Panthers by a dozen.
Spelly.
It would be favouritism if we was not playing the convicts. Smith is the best in the game at what he does and did not get the recognition he deserved last season. He won't be worried about any aussie cos he is a one of our own.
Just been watching the re-run of Cas v Pies, and loath to criticise refs that I am, coz of the hugely difficult job they do, I reckon Smith was lucky to be only yellowed, and should therefore have been sat in the stand come Saturday.
No argument at all with Watts' dismissal.
Rugby League is hard enough, and player safety should always be paramount, so I defo do not go along with "The game's gone soft!" theorists.
Spelly.
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@spelly With the evidence available not only to the ref on field but to the disciplinary panel they deemed no further action so why you crying over it ? If the ref had got it wrong then the panel would have banned him but they didn't. You seem to be biased to towards the convicts which is very strange.
@spelly With the evidence available not only to the ref on field but to the disciplinary panel they deemed no further action so why you crying over it ? If the ref had got it wrong then the panel would have banned him but they didn't. You seem to be biased to towards the convicts which is very strange.
1) I'm not crying over it, I'm offering an opinion, which correct me if I'm wrong, is what this message-board is here for? Yours obviously differs to mine, but I'm not accusing you of shedding tears, coz you're 101% entitled to hold and state that view.
2) Favouring the Convicts? I just said I think Penrith will win, basically coz I reckon they have more talent on the park than Pies do.
Looking forward to the contest immensely, and hope the weather is decent for such a massive fixture.
Spelly.
I might be in a minority here but, was Harry's tackle really that bad? OK, he lifted his legs but it was all a bit powder-puff.
Correct hence no ban.I might be in a minority here but, was Harry's tackle really that bad? OK, he lifted his legs but it was all a bit powder-puff.
Correct hence no ban.I might be in a minority here but, was Harry's tackle really that bad? OK, he lifted his legs but it was all a bit powder-puff.
As I said earlier, it's (and long may it continue) all about opinions on this board.
I would use the adjective "clumsy" rather than "dirty" to describe the tackle, but I still remain of the view he should be a spectator in the WCC, rather than a competitor.
Spelly.