Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:33 pm  

Full statement: http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4398? Personally think it's very short considering it's the off season, and really is just 8 games - not sure that'll satisfy the media blood hounds...

Full statement: http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4398? Personally think it's very short considering it's the off season, and really is just 8 games - not sure that'll satisfy the media blood hounds...

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:35 pm  

Fair

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:36 pm  

Isn't there a technical difference between bans that run for X months and those that run for X matches, in that being banned for so many matches means you can continue to train etc, but being banned for 6 months means you cannot participate in your role at the club at all. I could have got that wrong though.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:37 pm  

Marcus Notsquare wrote:

Chairman Eamonn McManus stated:

"These matters have to be dealt with by the appropriate body within the game and it has so been.

"Whilst serving his ban it is critical that Ben is now provided all due personal and professional support. His rehabilitation is now paramount. During the period of his ban he will be no more than a 25-year-old boy who will be extremely vulnerable emotionally. We must assist him in any way that we can and accept him back into the sport. There is a person behind the player, and I am reliably informed by all that it is a good one. He must know that from all. Lance Hohaia certainly feels that way towards him also.

A sensible and mature quote. EMcM and Lance have now published mature quotes. And now the player has been given a 6 month ban so now is the time for all the emotional comments to die down and allow the player to get over this.

Fans who are going over the top taking the moral high ground should remember that next season there will be players from their own clubs who will transgress and be banned (not necessarily Grade F). This moral high ground stuff could be flung back in their faces. Ben Flower is a young player who has made a mistake and will need support to get over it.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:41 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I liked the line about how Rugby League is fueled by anabolic steroids.

RFL should sue him for that comment.

: Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:43 pm  

He misses 13 games. 2 friendlies, the WCC vs Brisbane, and 10 SL fixtures.

The RFL say 6 months because this is the most exposed to the media league has been that I can remember, so to all those now suddenly big RL reporters it will sound a very harsh ban which they can happily report on.

On the face of it I think the RFL have done well here. I think it's a fair ban and it will keep the media happy with the way they have worded it.

Hopefully now everyone can just put it behind them and get on with the game.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:45 pm  

Ian Lenagan is a strong Chairman of a great club and I know that he will look beyond mere effect and more at cause. If anything is identified and needs to be dealt with then he will. St Helens stand firmly at the side of Wigan at this time.

Have to say that's a very humbling statement from our arch nemesis.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:51 pm  

TheElectricGlidingWarrior wrote:

Have to say that's a very humbling statement from our arch nemesis.

Maybe he's been reading Oscar Wilde: "always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much"

Seriously though, two (of many) very sensible statements on the BBC (my emphasis):

George Riley:
"It's the worst thing I've seen on a league pitch and the ban had to be huge. Flower's horrible error of judgement has hurt the sport. It ensures this final will always be remembered for that disgusting mistake rather than as the year St Helens ended their losing run. But, to suggest rugby league might be irreparably damaged by this is ludicrous. It has been dealt with correctly and one high-profile individual implosion should not tarnish rugby league's proud reputation as a family sport."

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: "The sport of rugby league should not be judged by this event, but by how it deals with it.
"We must assist (Flower) in any way that we can and accept him back into the sport. There is a person behind the player, and I am reliably informed by all that it is a good one."

So lets all calm the **** down and move on.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 5:51 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote: Full statement: http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4398? Very classy statement from Saints. I think the ban is about right.

Magic Superbeetle wrote: Full statement: http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4398? Very classy statement from Saints. I think the ban is about right.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 6:12 pm  

Said 12 myself so 11 is fair enough.

Time to move on, 6 month ban and having to live with the shame of it all whilst knowing he cost his side a SL title is enough punishment for the guy.