Agreed - We need our forwards to be at the top of their game going into the playoffs, and Stuart was superb on Sunday.

You are right that Fielden could have had his ankle broken, but it was Fielden who carried the whole episode on. He was the one having a go at the marker.

I'm not condoning what Mason did - far from it, I think it was despicable - but you if you retaliate and cause a punch up, then you can reasonably expect to be punished. Players get cited for all sorts of things all the time, especially when there are cameras all over the place, so there was no need to 'sort things out' there and then. It's not rocket science to find the incident on tape after the game and refer the incident to the RFL, is it?

I appreciate a player's view may be clouded in the heat of the moment, but these players are professionals after all. Rugby League is supposed to be the toughest of tough sports, not a violent sport, where you can just belt someone when they do something you don't like.

Don't agree. The punch up was destined to start when Mason came wading in!!
Was he bad mouthing the marker, I'm not sure. I think he could have been complaining to the ref for the lack of action taken, if you look you will see that Riddell also complains about it.

I'm sorry. The RFL got it wrong and Fielden should have a good case to appeal his ban. Sin bin sufficient.

Totally agree.

And i strongly suspect that without Fieldens reaction the issue would of even been raised, after all it was only Brian Carney who spotted the incident on the initial replay following Masons charge at Fielden.

If you put the livelehood of another player at risk then a punch up is the very least you can expect even from the most mild mannered of players.

Fielden actually deserves credit for not punching the marker!

If he pled guilty to fighting then it wont be possible to appeal, if i am correct

If that is the case then I'm looking forward to seeing the playoffs with teams reduced to 9 men and one match bans handed out.

He can appeal against the punishment.

Reading the case would suggest he wont get a reduction in his ban! Griffin as been charged for throwing 1 punch, nowt about his scratch!! and Mason didnt throw any! (But according to the Huddersfield fans Fielden was given a pasting) While fielden threw a few!!

I think Fielden and Griffin have been hard done by. Mason deserves the 3 games, it sends out a message stamping isn't acceptable.

Having watched it back, i think most people would agree the verbals started as a result of the stamp on his ankle, Fielden thought one of the markers was the culprit and was probably telling them what he thought. Griffin was probably wondering what Fielden was moaning about (him not knowing what Mason had done either) he was probably giving it back telling him to stop being soft or words to that affect

I'd imagine with both Fielden and Griffin getting pumped up and giving each other verbals, Fielden probably didn't even notice Mason coming in from the side, but felt the push/shove/punch whatever. I think with Fielden learning the hard way with Willy Mason a few years back on hesitating, he felt the contact, and thought i'm not getting knocked out again and started throwing and starts swinging. By this point Mason has been dragged away and it's all going off.

Mason is the instigator of a situation that would never have occured had he not stamped on Fielden and then jumped into a heated situation between to innocent parties. Mason causes a fight to start and these two lads now serve a ban for it?

Will also be interesting to see how many bans are dished out for fighting in the remaining games of the season?

Give over talking sense!! Some people still cant see it pan out this way after numerous replays!

Snip....
Absolutely spot on.....

Why do officials never try to break up a brawl?
surley either they and or stewards should be drafted in to break up the brawlers

Under RFL guidelines, they aren't allowed to.

Shame prob because I few would recieve a few sly digs! Defence being you got in the way!!

It should be safe for them now though. Kelvin Skerritt retired years ago

Spot on.....

Conclusions

[url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/disciplinary_item.php?id=2185=#FF0000Mason[/url: The committee give the player credit for admitting the offence. However this is the fourth time that you have appeared before the committee for similar offences and the committee view this seriously. It is clear from the DVD that you stood on Fielden's leg deliberately. The committee are not satisfied that Fielden went to strike your team mate however do note that he acted in an aggressive manner but you did run a considerable distance to get involved and this led to the incident escalating into a brawl. Committee take this type of incident very seriously and feel that a 3 match suspension and £300 fine is appropriate.

[url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/disciplinary_item.php?id=2187=#FF0000Griffin[/url: The committee give you credit for admitting the offence and have noted that you have not appeared before the committee for a similar offence since 2001. You have however received a warning letter in March 2009 for punching. The committee note that you only threw one punch which is reflected in the grading of the charge. It is clear that you threw a punch in retaliation however this is not acceptable from a professional player to retaliate in this manner. Therefore the committee have decided that a 1 match suspension and £300 fine is appropriate.

[url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/about/disciplinary_item.php?id=2186=#FF0000Fielden[/url: The committee give you credit for admitting the offence and for your good record considering the number of games you have played. The committee are satisfied that there was provocation and that you were in situation where you felt intimidated. However the committee have counted 4 punches thrown and although there is an element of provocation it is clear there is that you have retaliated in this instance. Retaliation is not acceptable. Therefore the committee feel that a 1 match suspension and £300 fine is appropriate.




I can only assume none of them have bothered to appeal because they all pleaded guilty in the first place.

Yet Sam Tomkins gets away with a deliberate stamp on Faologo`s hand. He should have been banned also, Just look at the incident at ( 16.37 ) game time.

brilliant

Talented that Sam! Managing to wrestle with a player leaning back then stand on a players moving hand deliberately!!

I never understand how you get credit for admitting you've done something wrong intentionally.

how does two diffrent charges get the same fine thats rubbish if you ask me

Griffin will be chuffed, he threw one punch and it connected. Fielden threw 4 and missed with all of them. Both get the same punishment.

Mason got what he deserved. However he stood on Fielden, he didnt stamp on him. If he had he would have caused serious injury.

Anyway move on.

It doesn't matter if he stood or stamped - it was a deliberate dirty act which should have seen him sent off. Remember Beckham in the soccer world cup a few years ago? A feeble swish with his boot to kick a player with as much force as a mouse could muster. That didn't save him from the red card.

Instead three other teams will benefit from his absence for doing this, not the team he committed the offence against. Meanwhile Bentham can carry on being inept regardless.

Dave