https://www.rugby-league.com/article/54 ... view-panel

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/54 ... view-panel

5 game ban potentially. With his previous record I’d expect him to get 5.

Aside from the aggression he brings to the team I cannot help but feel he is standing in the way of a young players opportunity....

Kirmond on the other hand will be a bigger loss for Wakefield if he recieves a ban for Thursday.

Kirmond has got a 2 match ban.

Downside to this is I guess Tasi will keep his place, wonder if and when Akauola will get another chance.

Johnstone, tupou, Randall, huby, kirmond our for wakey.

Completely new left edge almost will be necessery this week.

It will be a tough game against you guys but in super league these days you just never know how some games will go.

Westwood is a Wire legend without a doubt, my one big regret is that he didn't go the way of Morley, from being a hot headed enforcer in his earlier years (before he played for us) to a controlled disciplined enforcer in his 30s (when he played for us).

Can’t disagree with that... we used to benefit from his aggression when he was a player of international quality. Now he just gets banned and costs us territory and possession, without making as much of an impact in attack. He very nearly cost us the game on Friday.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s still very good when he’s not doing the stupid stuff... it’s just starting outweigh the good stuff. Shame.

Westwood shows whenever he plays the difference between pre/early SL to the majority current SL talent coming through.

Westwood = Uncompromising, 100% effort 100% of the time, Hard as nails, Can give a whack and take a whack, can decapitate or be decapitated and still expect any hard feelings to end after the hooter, Rum as F**k

Majority of new SL Players (there are some exceptions) = Comprimising, 100% effort when they can be d, soft and throw themselves to the floor like wendyballer, can give a whack but can't take one, hard feelings carried on off the pitch, Vanilla as they come.


Benny witnessed a Wigan team during a 20 minute spell that realised they couldn't beat us by playing rugby, so turned to aggression to try and take our 'small' men out the game. Then when it boils over, a little cheese eating surrender monkey comes in and cops him one from the side... As far as I'm concerned he's forgivably lost his head and I can completely understand that. We have squad depth and can give someone else a run out and stake their claim for a shirt. I'm glad we still have someone in the pack with some ***t in them.

I applaud every syllable, well said.

Livett gets the spot for me but don't be surprised to see a few opposition players taking a few liberties when Mr Westwood gets his ban. Whatever ban he gets, I'll be glad when it's over and he is back in the 17.

Agreed with Both you fellas , don't get the Westwood bashing at all. He still runs the ball in and hits as hard as any other of our forwards. Compared to the small minutes BMM (who is a crowd hero BTW) , Tasi and Sitaleki at the age of 37 the guy should be applauded for the Hard graft he puts in .

On and off it's always been a part of his game, and it's a part of his game that makes opposition fans hate him and Wire fans love him. He goes through phases of staying the right & wrong side of the line, last season his discipline in terms of bans was excellent wasn't it? He played 30 games for us I think and was instrumental in our year. That's not the sign of a player who's discipline is deteriorating as he gets older.

As long as he remains effective in his performances - which I think he is? Then he has a place with us. I don't think his discipline is getting worse with age, he's just on a bit of a downward curve with it. Hopefully he can get back to his squeaky clean nature of 2018.

Me too. Always happier when he's on the pitch and he has nothing to apologise for in my eyes

Dress him up in Wigan top and blazer and pack him off to the disciplinary panel .guarantee he.ll get away with it

Will we get 2 extra points aswell

All packs need at least one capable of dishing it out when things get aggressive. He stays for me.

Pre “head butting” I don’t have any issue BUT it was a pointless headbutt that achieved nothing other than getting himself sent off. Rank stupidity in my view. His effort and worth to the team when on the field is clear to all.

If he'd turned round and landed one on his jaw cleaning him out he'd be looking at the same length of ban(ish) so don't see the problem. whether it's a punch or a headbut if someone is going to run in from the side and give it large they should expect to get dropped. Maybe if Thaler had a bit of authority about him and managed the game better and dealt with the high shots, tempers and emotions wouldn't run so high.

It's Rugby League, not a tickling contest. A tough, high intestity, physical game, played by athletes full of raw testosterone who have been toned/moulded/shaped & trained to run hard and fast with aggression. Then all the do-gooder, snowflake, 'someone think of the children', 'family game' types kick off and moan and act shocked when tempers flair.

People WANT to see the biff. the sport has become a drab, grey, un-marketable wasteland for about 6 years now. If warrington advertises games as 'bad blood', gets the fans on their feet and shows a big tough physical team taking no $h*7 from anyone, then good. Hopefully it'll inspire some other clubs to do the same instead of crying 'woe is me' and looking for RFL hand outs.

The problem is twofold,. 1 there was no need for it, it was the usual handbags
2 it was a pathetic attempt at a headbutt but will be treated very seriously by the disciplinary. Other than getting himself sent off what did it achieve? This isn’t about “snowflake” or “family game” etc
I would point out one thing though, if you commit an assault in everyday life and you use a headbutt that is considered the equivalent of using a weapon for sentencing purposes.

If I copped a cheap shot from the side and threw a headbutt it would be considered 'the use of reasonable force' in the event of self defence.

Anyway. Your point is null and void because this wasn't everyday life. It was during a game... A contact sport. I pray that some RL fans never make it to and Ice hockey game... I'd stay away from boxing and MMA as well, just to be sure.

One cretin keeps crying ‘assault’ on their board. I’d love to hear what he thought of Mr Flower’s punch in the 2014 GF, because a rubbish headbutt pales in comparison to smacking a bloke square in the face who’s already floored, in my humble and therefore correct opinion!

I might be being a bit thick or just don't understand how offences are graded but what is the difference between Liam Watts butt on Dom Crosby and what Westwood did.
Liam Watts was a grade C
Does the charge depend on your previous.

Going to tribunal so he'll be suspended Thursday and reviewed later.
Wigan did the same with Tautai and got him on a 3 game ban instead of 5-6.
We get Benny on a 3, and he's back for Saints away!

I started watching Rugby in the mid 70's so i know all about the "biff". Your self defence point is interesting but I can't see anyone trying to Justify Ben Westwood's actions on those grounds. The "sentencing" point was merely to highlight that use of the head is considered an aggravating factor.
I will be staying away from boxing and am amazed that it is still legal. Given the level of awareness about the effects of head injuries, how a civilised society can allow a sport that is based on inflicting blows to the head amazes me. I will also be avoiding cock fighting, bull fighting and bare knuckle fighting. I also think the fact that we no longer send young boys up chimneys is a good thing. If that makes me a snowflake in your eyes I wear that badge with pride.

No they didn't. One of these days you'll get something right.