Great player but short fuse lost the game

Ridiculous tackle.



I thought he was having a cracking game up to that point too.

Whilst the game was not over Leeds were in control at the time

That wasn’t a ridiculous tackle nor was it a short fuse. RL is often a game of fine margins.



Look at the charge down in the first half, smithies ended up with the ball and we scored off the set.



Bateman’s kick pressure was only different as he was a split second late (or Sezer wasn’t as slow kicking the ball), it was in no way malicious. He got his timing fractionally off and caught Sezer.



I’ve no issue with the card but we’ve got to understand what happened there.

There's a picture on social media of a far more malicious act from Bateman last night. Think Corey Norman.

Really?



He had a split second to make the tackle and was trying to put pressure on the kicker, he got it wrong but not all of those get a red.



It’s not like he bent the players arm behind his back or anything…

Having watched your game today the Welsby hit was a similar principle. Not malicious but direct contact shoulder to head. He should have walked and should miss next week.



Knowles should also be banned, poor show that one which clearly was malicious.

Welsbys shoulder was no where near the head

As mentioned, it’s a game of fine margins. A fraction earlier he’d have made perfect contact and raised the crowd but sadly got it wrong. The question would be why do that to a kicker when the modern game is very strong on anything late or high?



Bit of a head rush moment but not malicious. I’m concerned that we’re paying him marquee wages and his performances aren’t great

Don’t think Bateman going off was why Wigan lost, it was more the lack of cohesive attack with Cust and Farrell missing, added to by the French injury. Injuries to key players can make a huge difference to some teams

It was late but Bateman isn’t a dirty player so I don’t think it was malicious. He’s also good mates with Sezer from his Canberra days.



As for the Welsby one it was a brilliant shot, one that we should be celebrating and using to sell the game. That happens in the NRL and it’s over every program and channel. Here we are slowing it down frame by frame looking for an excuse to ban him. It’s a joke.

The issue I have is making a decision on the incident based on slowed down replays rather than in real time.



I therefore don’t think it’s possible to make a judgement.