No, it rests on the head of Magilla for letting his players take the pitch in that frame of mind.

No one is making excuses for Flower. There are two distinct incidents here. After the first punch he should have left it. The first punch was a reaction to a player running twenty yards and putting two forearms into his face. Stupid reaction but understandable by even the most biased anti-Wiganer. Both players should have walked (or in one case have been carried), but as often happens the ref dealt with the issue comparatively. The second issue was the shot on the floor, that was disgraceful, and shows a failing in his character that needs to be addressed .
Flower should be punished harshly but fairly, even if that was to mean prosecution. However I would expect something like given to Terry Newton. To those hysterics peeing their pants, though, about stringing the lad up just look at yourselves and grow up. You see it every week amongst those who do not play, no longer play or have never played. If you have played at any level for any time you might well have "smiled" to see your enforcer doing something similar. You might even find yourselves judged by the same standards one day.
Ben Flower will be dragged over the coals, quite rightly, then he might learn something, and get back to doing what he is good at. In the meantime, in St Helens, there will be a lot of smug faces thinking about how someone took one for the team.
By the way Saints, well done, double winners and probably deserved for your efforts this season.

He's already done tht on the VT I dot think he's bothered about making himself look like a pratt.

Blame Shaun wane for his thug tactics, his players are just carrying out his orders in the dressing room.

Too pumped up, & frustration will have been major facts for his moment of madness, they are a different breed front rowers, who are under pressure to be horrible but on the right side of the rules. Defo sending off, you had chances to win the game, don't think Smith/Green took charge enough, maybe thought it would have been easier then it was with saints players all out of position, & no real playmakers.

Could i suggest you take the rest of the night off and try and engage your brain before posting.

Flowers attack on Hohaia was the worst thing i have ever seen in any professional sport.
There is nothing else to say there is no context.

That punch on an unconscious player was just inexcusable

Flower needs a lengthy ban and his thuggery cost Wigan big time.

What Ben Flower did was inexcusable..retaliation is one thing but a follow up assault on a man clearly knocked out is nothing short of thuggery... That was the reason we lost our title tonight...

I actually feel a bit sorry for Flower and before anybody slates me for that, then just put yourself in his boots for a moment.

Two minutes into one of the biggest games of your career, in front of a huge, passionate crowd, coach's motivational words still ringing in your ears, opposition forwards have already been putting in cheap shots, then you suddenly take a shot in the face from an opposing forearm - Now, in my opinion, the first punch is perfectly acceptable... However, the mist is definitely down and instinctively jump in for another shot - Its cheap, and its nasty, but you can't honestly tell me that Flower knew that Hohaia was out cold?

Red card definite, long ban almost certain and deserved, but his main crime was being lured into the trap of retaliation and being unlucky to pick on a guy who had a glass jaw - Without Hohaia's alarming lack of chin, it would have been 10 minutes in the bin for both of them and, with it, probably a completely different game.

There was too big a gap between the first and 2nd punch. He thought about what he did.It was so far out of order it was off the scale.

The rah rah loving press will have a field day.

Twitter messages

Barrow Police: "When out and about tonight don't act like @WiganWarriorsRL Ben Flower or you will end up #bangedupinbarrow"
QPR midfielder Joey Barton: "Actually feel a bit sorry for Ben Flower. Lance started it with his elbow. Superb first dig from Flower. Second when he's KO'd is out of order."
Former England rugby union player Brian Moore: "Ben Flower - his first punch was retaliation for a cheap shot on him; second one was unforgiveable."
Former Wigan winger Martin Offiah: "Second punch Flower threw was over the top but in Rugby League if you forearm somebody in the face you can't complain if he clocks you one if I had done what Lance did I'd expect a slap. You play with fire you get burnt man. Lance Hohia will never attack Ben Flower again. Not condoning second punch on a prone player. I don't remember trying to take on a prop. You don't attack props and there was some provocation. If by stating that it makes me Satan then so be it."
Former England striker Gary Lineker: "If only other team sports could match the on-field behaviour of football."
Former England striker Michael Owen: "In China but just seen those punches in the Super League Grand Final on Twitter. First one was shocking but the second one was a disgrace. Can you imagine the outcry if a footballer did that? Can sort of understand the first punch after being provoked but to hit someone again when they are already out cold is hard to understand."

The idea that no publicity is bad publicity is clearly wrong.

Flower threw the 1 st punch on Hohia as he ran past, Hohia retaliated with more of a push

www.liveleak.com/view?i=e0c_1413056875 Criminal. Stuart Hall got sent down for less

www.liveleak.com/view?i=e0c_1413056875 Criminal. Stuart Hall got sent down for less

flower is a total discrace

dont get why some are defending him

then your a bigger than he is

Swear police are on

One Dirty Wigan Bas*rd working on The Gorillas instructions.

One Dirty Wigan Bas*rd working on The Gorillas instructions to take Saints play maker out one out and out Richard Head along with the coach Bugger should be Sine Die!

It was inexcusable from Flower and ultimately cost us the game, but it looks a million times worse in slow motion than it does in real time. I'm not making an excuse , just stating a fact . Watch it

He deserved to go and should get banned but please judge him in real time

Hohaia was prone on the floor and didn't move even when flower pulled the fist back.

I get where you are trying to come from, but it was a criminal act.

Credit to to you true RL fans reaction on this thread.

Reckon Lance needs to go see no win no fee claim firms got a good chance to take him to the cleaners.

Utterly flabbergasted and saddened by Flowers actions tonight. He's ruined a full squads hard work all year and rammed all the supporters backing right down their throat.

If I turned up for work and messed up like that I'd be sacked and I'd have no complaints. I don't think Flower could have any if he was handed his P45 tonight.

First shot was a peach and warranted, if you're going to fire into someone and smash them in the jaw late, you deserve a smack.

That though is where it should have ended, the punch while he was out was ridiculous in every way.

If Hohaia could take a dig and they traded a few they would have both been in the bin.

Flower wasn't the reason we lost tonight. Poor decisions & execution were.