Cameron Smiths handling could be key for that reason.

True, just shave from TV and marketing perspective. But yeah we are stronger up front. Game could hinge in what sort of mood Williams is in…… think best half in either squad…

Yes, let's just ignore the game's operational rules in favour of making it more exciting or interesting.



That's a wormhole Formula One is struggling to get out of having serious damage to its credibility as a sporting contest - we absolutely don't want that sort of idiocy in Rugby League.

I think you want to watch 18 stone blokes play touch rugby sometimes…….!

It's not the application of the rules that should change, but the rules themselves. The sport has its knickers in such a twist about litigation for head injury that I think it has gone too far in some areas.



Some of the bans for what I think are innocuous incidents are silly. We need to see players on the field and it is a contact sport.



I also don't believe that bans should be based on games - a points system would be better, where it recognises the difference in say, a play-off or final versus a regular league game or a friendly. I don't like the current process but hey what do I know.

They Sounds very sensible……so a non starter……

I understand the frustration with the new approach but a late tackle especially high around shoulders/neck or head are dangerous and are not part of the game. I have seen tacked on David Ward and Hanley in the past that have resulted in players being out for months so those tackles should be outlawed. I have no objection to bans but they have to be consistent and in the past they have been severe for a few weeks and then eased off and that in my opinion is the problem.

I don’t want the physicality removed from our sport just the cowardly stuff on star players.

Sounds possibly the worst idea ever...actually no its brilliant. Tetevano go and knock Williams head off youve currently no points, its a league game and you cant get banned. Next week Bentley can you do same and week after Mik its your turn.



Cup game this week lads its a double point round so squeaky clean this week lads.



I can only imagine everyone would be delighted on here if Sezer gets his cheekbone broken by someone who hasnt accumlated enough points to get a ban.



Deary deary me.

Think some are confusing cheap shots with minor infringements where no one gets hurt.

Can’t we just start letting refs actually ref and manage the sport with yellows/reds that carry a mandatory ban?

1 Myler

2 Fusitu’a

3 Newman

4 Sutcliffe

5 Handley

6 Leeming

7 Sezer

8 Oledzki

9 Dwyer

10 Prior

11 Bentley

12 Martin

13 Tetevano



14 Mellor

15 Smith

16 Thompson

17 Walker



18 Donaldson 19 Briscoe 20 Broadbent 21 Gannon

I have not looked forward to the opening games of a season so much for a long time. I think its great that we have three of the big teams up first as it will demonstrate how competitive we are going to be. We need to win at least one game but hopefully will be competitive in all three

Obviously if you break someone's face Marty, that would be a sufficient points penalty to result in a ban.

Not a bad shout that though I'd swap Tet and Smith and Briscoe and sutcliffe. See if Dwyers asked to do 80 with Leeming jumping in where he can.

Said it before RE bans but if some of the stuff that bans are being handed out were given reds on game day there would be uproar! And more than likely fewer bans as well for obvious reasons.



Looking forward to Saturday but got this awful feeling Powell will have them fired up and could well see them throw everything at us early on to get a couple of scores ahead. I think I'm mentally scared from seeing Cas tear us apart on the edges so often in recent times!!



RE Austin, apparently all the promo material was all done around him playing his old club then the news of the ban dropped. Seems we always find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot even in new markets!!