How is it effectively 4 match ban?

It's not.

If a 24 year old could use an Under 20s game to reduce his ban, that would be utter nonsense. He's a first team player, so he should miss 3 first team games.

Well hes only himself to blame, hope IFL gets involved and throws a big fine at him from the club aswell. Played all year to get to pole position in the play offs and he gets himself banned out of it in a nothing game and made himself look a prat on a big night for the club receiving the plate and helping JJ out.

Agreed.

Deserves it, stupid "tackle". Glad he wont be around to do it in an elimination game.

Fully deserved, a moronic thing to do in what was essentially a meaningless game, especially given his previous.

On current form, will he be missed?

Bad end to what has been MM's best season in the sport but his ban is fully justified I only hope he learns from this moment of thuggery.

It was a stupid thing to do, he has to learn and learn quickly

Got what he deserved and only himself to blame. Could cost us dearly.

He'll actually be available for the Grand Final if we lose on Friday and do it the long way round, as we did in 2010, so it mightn't be season over yet.

Can't argue with the ban, mind.

IF we do lose on Friday I'd consider our chances of reaching the final over.

Will he appeal?

He deserves the 3 sadly but the RFL can be pretty weak so may be worth a shot.

Other then that he's probably done. If we win on Friday he certainly is and if we lose I can't really see us recovering to make Old Trafford.

Not just that but Wane now gets hold of him and stops him doing that again. But also Wane needs to learn and no to use an early plea again and then rest the player for the following game which is a waste of a plea.

This could have been avoided but lets hope all learn from it.

Wigan site says the club are appealing..

[urlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=7538&type=news[/url

I didn't disagree with the red but I think 3 games is harsh. There have been equally bad/worse challenges that haven't received such a stern punishment. It was a late challenge in a derby game, not that long ago no one would have batted an eyelid. These games have to be more sensibly referred IMO, a la origin. I'm not saying players should be able to go round throwing swinging arms but sending offs have now killed 2 Wigan saints games in 2012.

If he'd have had the early guilty plea in the bag what would he have got if he'd have played it?

If it's one game they've done themselves up like Kippers here because his offence against the Bulls was a nothing incident.

Ah, the vagories of sport. Just a few short weeks ago there was outrage when MM wasn't picked for the international squad, now it's generally perceived to be a good thing that he is suspended for the most important games of the season.

Did he not miss almost the entire derby game ?

Not by me.

And I am getting sick of the outrage and anti MM bile that is being spouted on here.

The Wigan witch hunt is alive and kicking and on this board.

So am I. There is a lot of sanctimonious clap trap being written.

3 games seems over the top for me. It was a sending off without doubt, but not as bad as some people here are making out. Wasn't even that late.

Considering other decisions this year, for far worse incidences, 1 match would be nearer the mark, or even Sending off Sufficient considering how early it happened in the game.

MM didn't become a good player overnight, and doesn't deserved to be treated as a villain all of a sudden. Yes, he has had a dip in form, as all players do at some point, and yes he's prone to a rush of blood to the head, but come on...lets keep some perspective here.

Not late? Watch it again and look where the ball is when contact is made. Let alone how high it was. 3 games seems harsh but it was probably given to allow for an appeal and it to be reduced to a 2 game ban.

After it is passed he took one step and tackled (use the term loosely) the player. Delibrate? Only one person can answer that. Reaction OTT? Without a shadow of doubt.

A 3, well 3 3/4 match ban does seem a little harsh are we saying that it was as bad as rangi chases elbow to the jaw? He got 3 games for that but wasn't sent off, maybe Ganson wasn't video ref that day

Watch it at full speed.........slightly late with intent.....its probably the 'intent' bit that has nailed the 3 matches.

As usual with these hits, slow them down and they look a lot worse