Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:27 pm  

Wigg'n wrote:

Yeah 5 games is a massive ban when you can easily end someone's career.

And before anyone starts, I think the fact that Lance is ok somewhat mitigated the suspension. If he'd had a bad/lasting facial injury then it would've been a lot longer.

Well other than his traumatic brain injury of course. Who knows what lasting damage that will have.

I said 12 matches so it's in line with what I expected and in relation to other punishments so no real complaints. But Whether we have those right or not is another debate

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:28 pm  

That will do. Good to see the press releases from the clubs being handled so professionally. The ban is adequate and in line with what I would have handed out. Leaves him with no doubt as to what will happen if something similar happens in the future.

The bit from McManus about Wigan looking at how they do things is interesting. Seems to me like the inappropriate nature of Wane's team talk has hit home and he has been told to keep it within the boundaries of tough but fair in future.

Good all round.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:30 pm  

TheElectricGlidingWarrior wrote:

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

Don't know if I am reading the quote you posted wrong but it could be a criticism of Wanes tactics. Stating that Lenegan will look at the cause of the incident and do what is necessary

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:35 pm  

The Magic Rat wrote:

Don't know if I am reading the quote you posted wrong but it could be a criticism of Wanes tactics. Stating that Lenegan will look at the cause of the incident and do what is necessary

It is exactly that. Leneghan will have already told McManus that he will sort it.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:43 pm  

Durham Giant wrote:

Considering you constantly show us you are a man of the world who was coached at 10 to knock people out i can claim on my own experience that Flower would have known that Hohaia was knocked out.

I have played rugby, soccer, gaelic football and hurling. I was an amateur boxer and have had a few scrapes in my life.

I can tell you 100% that you know when you have given someone a clean punch. You know pretty well when you have hit that sweet spot and someone is going down.

When they are down and you have to bend down on one knee and the opponents hands are splayed wide so that you can hit them again you know they are gone
No matter how quick it is you know they are not fighting back, you know they are not covering up you know they are out.

You know this instantaneously, you know it instinctively, you know it objectively.

He knew he was knocked out but he had so lost himself in his emotion or anger or frustration he did not care and still went for it.

Either way that scenario is very very scary and something the RFL need to deal with

As you seem to be experienced in various combat/contact sports would you agree with me that it would be extremely unusual for somebody to strike another person ' in the heat of the moment' with their weaker arm ? . I would like to know if Lance is right or left-handed . From all the angles I have seen of the incident it looks like a two-handed push and that the left hand slipped from Ben's shoulder and the forearm slid against his chin rather than a direct strike .

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:58 pm  

Considering his previously clean record I think a 2.5 month 11 game ban is fair enough.

He probably feels pretty crap about it too and I'm not into making people scapegoats.

He's a 25 yr old little boy who made a big mistake at the end of the day.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 7:58 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

Well other than his traumatic brain injury of course. Who knows what lasting damage that will have.

I said 12 matches so it's in line with what I expected and in relation to other punishments so no real complaints. But Whether we have those right or not is another debate

Oddly enough though, the first, considerably less sinister looking punch, was far more likely to cause a brain injury. The brain typically gets injured bouncing around inside the skull cavity which would happen much more with the first punch and ground impact. The second punch was much more likely to damage the skull itself. All a bit yucky in any event.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:10 pm  

FlexWheeler wrote:

6 months sounds more severe than 8 games but it's just an 8 game ban in effect.

"The suspension means Flower will miss 13 matches: 10 First Utility Super League fixtures, two pre-season games and the World Club Series match against Brisbane Broncos."

Superbly handled by all concerned. Hugely professional and supportive statements from Saints, similarly from Wigan. Swift and stern action from the RFL without paying the slightest bit of attention to the wailing muppets wanting his head, including those on here and in the press.

Fantastic to see the comments concerning his welfare moving forward. Something FlexWheeler in particular might like to reflect on.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:12 pm  

Whilst I agree that the ban seems reasonable.

Lets not forget that for betting on a match Long got 3 months and Gleeson 4 months mid-season.

So before Wiganers pipe up about Flower being a scape goat, there are others who have missed more matches for not hurting anyone.

Re: Ben Flower : Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:21 pm  

Cronus wrote:

"The suspension means Flower will miss 13 matches: 10 First Utility Super League fixtures, two pre-season games and the World Club Series match against Brisbane Broncos."

Superbly handled by all concerned. Hugely professional and supportive statements from Saints, similarly from Wigan. Swift and stern action from the RFL without paying the slightest bit of attention to the wailing muppets wanting his head, including those on here and in the press.

Fantastic to see the comments concerning his welfare moving forward. Something FlexWheeler in particular might like to reflect on.

Agreed.