Flower lands a beauty that floors Hohaia, Hohaia not going to do much from that position.
After first punch, it was lights out.
No matter if you look at it at normal or slow motion, second punch is just blatant thuggery.

I agree. Just saying that it looks less bad, not that it isn't bad. A bit more "split-second of madness", if you know what I mean, rather than, "there he is, decked, now I'm going to really hurt him".

You would do well in defence too slugger

A young man far too juiced up by the exhortations of his coach; he roughed Hohaia up in back play, got a rise out of him, then seized the opportunity to knock the bejesus out of him. Was it a coincidence that Hohaia was the only recognised HB that Saints could get onto the field? Personally, I don't think so.

The whole incident is indicative of Wigan's attitude to the game - aggression taken way over the line, physical dominance with a blatant disregard for the opposition player and a ruthless, win at all costs mentality. It's been allowed to go too far and this incident should be a catalyst to take some decisive action - make an example of Flower, censure Wane for that team talk video then redraw the boundaries of what is, and isn't, acceptable conduct on the field of play. The toughest team sport in the world is at risk of being dragged back decades by unscrupulous coaches and highly suggestible players.

It seems strange that more hasn't been made out of Wane's coaching "style" or of the fact that Hohaia was Saints only playmaker (apart from Roby of course) and they were certainly rudderless without him, indeed it could be argued that losing Flower was decent exchange if Hohaia couldn't play any further part in the game.
Of course, Wigan will say it was just the stupid actions of an over excited player but, we will never know.

Ironically, with both players having been charged following the game, Hohaia could also receive a ban, albeit somewhat shorter.

Not condoning the punch but Hohaia was the one charging in.
As sole playmaker he wasn't targetted he jumped in holding a target

Flower stiff armed Hohaia round the back of his head and that's what instigated the exchange, Hohaia did what 95% of RL players would do and gave Flower some back, par for the course, That's Rugby!

Flower then took it way beyond the realms of acceptability for any sport.

Don't believe everything that Wigan fans tell you; Flower clobbered Hohaia round the back of the head in the build-up as they both chased the kick - that's what prompted Hohaia to run at him with the bumpers up in the first place.

Fed up of reading what Flower did in back field & how Hohaia hit him.

The second punch from Flower whilst the player was motionless on the ground was absolutely despicable & probably the worst thing I have seen in 50 years of watching Rugby League.

He should be banned for the whole 2015 season.

Flower clattered Hohaia in back play which prompted Ohio to charge a good five yards' to retaliate and give Flower a forearm smash that even Eamonn's uncle (Mick McManus) would be proud of, Flower then did what any good thug would do and levelled him and that's where it should have ended with both receiving a red card, unfortunately Flower probably feeling ashamed that somebody three stone lighter had the nerve to retaliate could not leave it at that and exacted further cowardly retribution, For his less spectacular role in this sorry episode Ohio will get the two match ban he deserves and Flower will if there's any justice for his starring role get twelve matches', it's a pity that the only way he can get recognition is for his thuggery and not for being a rugby player.

I think it should be more because I think its worse than using a performance enhancer and doesnt that carry a ban up to 3 years? If it stamps out this behaviour I'm all for it.

Completely different issue in my opinion.

Aggressive foul play is of course worse than taking drugs, but the long term damage of each is very different, both personally and to the sport in general.
The penalty for drugs should be much longer than foul play.

At the end of the day he hit someone who couldn't defend themselves.
But how different is that to hitting someone from behind when they are not looking? Fages was knocked out for a hit like that and no one was calling for a season long ban.

For me, it should be 8-10 matches, or a period of time that covers that many matches.
There is no need for more. If Hohaia isn't upset I don't see why everybody is so traumatised about it.
Shocking incident yes, but let's not go over the top.

I saw it.
Flower was running afetr the ball.
Hohaia stepped across him to slow him down.
Flower cuffed him to get him out of the way.
Hohaia chased 10 metres to get him back with a swing to the head
Flower hit him with a sweet punch
Flower then on getting up put a cheap shot in.

At each of those points, they could have left it alone. But neither did.
They are both to blame. Hohaia suffered becausehe lost the spat, Flower suffered because he took it too far.

The way I saw it, Hohaia maintained his line towards the ball - he doesn't have to step aside to let Flower have easy access to a contested ball; this happens in every game every week and is hardly license for the offended party to take whatever restorative actions he deems necessary, particularly not clouting the runner round the back of the head. It was wrong of Hohaia to retaliate and it was wrong of Flower to re-retaliate - what followed was just sickening thuggery.

I'm surprised that anyone would suggest that Hohaia deserved what happened to him; apart from Gareth Hock - I wasn't at all surprised that he did.

In 2004 Doncaster had a player banned for 6 months for foul play against a Batley player so with this being in a Grand Final shown on TV I would think he might be looking at longer

It was an interesting choice to convene a disciplinary panel consisting of two former Wigan players and a.n other; I'm not suggesting there'll be any bias, but if there is any perceived leniency shown, the allegations will come thick and fast - especially since the mainstream media are taking a keen interest in this story.

He didn't deserve the second punch but if you run so far to hit someone, you have to expect a retaliation.
As you say the initial contact happens all the time, so Hohaia didn't need to make such a big deal about it. He took it further than it needed to and it escalated. In the same way that Flower cost his team the game, Hohaia's actions nearly cost his team the game too, as he was the only play maker.

Flower took it too far and should be penalised for it, but the still photo of him standing overt him makes the incident look far worse than it actually was. Flower was getting up and took a last swing, not running in to attack. Makes a big difference when you are looking at intent.

He was banned for so long because it was an unprovoked attack on the player and a reasonably serious injury.
Not the same.

Beg to differ seeing as how Hohaia couldn't protect himself surely the second punch was unprovoked.

If he gets less than the full season ban, I hope the number of games he is banned for are competitive matches in Super League and friendlies are not counted

You can't just pick a single punch out of a fight and say it is unprovoked.
Uneccessary maybe but not unprovoked.

The whole incident was initiated by Flower but the fight was started by Hohaia in my opinion. He ran too far to get involved to be inocent in this.

I am completely behind a ban for Flower but lets not paint Hohaia as innocent. He ran a long way to hit Flower. Retaliation was innevitable and expected. Just because Flower can punch better does not take any involvement away from Hohaia.
The second punch was too far, but everything up to that was equal in all parts except ability to throw a punch.

Ability to throw a punch shouldn't come into it. I thought we had got rid of this mentality in the modern game.

Banned for 6 months. Available April 2015.

is that from today, doesn't seem right when there is no games on

Should be 6 months from start of season surely, that's August from my counting, April is only 2 month ban #confused

That is very poor. RFL on top form again.