This weekend we saw the Challenge Cup Final between Hull KR and Leigh Leopards as well as Huddersfield Giants and St Helens battled it out in Super League as the Giants want to keep in touch with the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils in the play-off battle.
As always, the Match Review Panel met to consider the action and whether or not players deserved bans.
Unsurprisingly, Elliot Minchella was banned for one game after becoming the first player since 2001 to be sin binned in a Challenge Cup Final.
He was the only player banned from the final and there was a lot of focus on the other game with how fiery the match was with a yellow card and a red card playing their part.
Thus, with such a high profile moment with Minchella and a controversial game at St Helens, there was a lot of debate with the match review panel’s punishments.
One fan hit back at the commentary for saying that there was nothing wrong with Minchella’s late hit.
Nothing wrong with the Minchella tackle though according to commentary 😂 https://t.co/1DwEYuvh0A
— Kieran Gray (@KieranGray96) August 14, 2023
Meanwhile, St Helens were tipped to appeal the ban for Matty Lees.
I can see Mike Rush and Eamonn McManus making a mad stomp across to north Manchester to appeal the Matty Lees two game ban @AlexG6 https://t.co/3FSFkkCK62
— Gareth Hughes (@BangorAyeGaz) August 14, 2023
Saints fans in general were unhappy especially with Matty English only cautioned for his yellow card cannon ball tackle.
English just got a caution?!?!? https://t.co/l8Zua8GrYB
— PW (@pjwilson1990) August 14, 2023
They were unhappy as well that red carded Joe Greenwood avoided a ban.
Lees gets 2 matches, but Greenwood just gets a fine for him in the face punching. Amazing 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/CZSBpJ0g66
— DeanC_2024 (@DeanC_2024) August 14, 2023
Greenwood sent off but Lees banned 😭 https://t.co/hXequ6Jf6v
— Tom (@tom_marsh0) August 14, 2023
Hull KR fans were meanwhile shocked at the punishment for Minchella.
Disappointed with Minchella call getting 10 minutes for a decision most of the Rugby family new was wrong then getting 1 match as well. Wow
— Craig Lucas🏴🍺🏉🥊🪬 (@craiglucas4) August 14, 2023
Switching back to the Saints, their fans highlighted the comments around English questioning the lack of a ban.
I haven’t seen it but how can this not be a ban pic.twitter.com/wxFGzeHmXZ
— Sam Files (@badgerheadno1) August 14, 2023
Hull KR fans were continually unhappy saying that the ban for Minchella was “farcical.”
Minchella ban is farcical, not surprised though
— Sam Scott (@samscott85) August 14, 2023
But it was the Saints fans who were most disappointed with one fan questioning how Chris Hill avoided a ban after a high tackle.
How can lees get banned but yet greenwood striking unpunished and chris Hill not applicable yet nearly decapitated ritson and delaney. Laughable
— Chris bailey (@Weeman6878) August 14, 2023
Following the Betfred Challenge Cup Final and latest Betfred Super League fixture, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:
Elliott Minchella (Hull KR) – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade A High Tackle – Not Applicable
Matty Lees (St Helens) – Grade C High Tackle – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Joe Greenwood (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade B Striking – £250 Fine
Olly Russell (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
The following player was handed a caution:
Matty English (Huddersfield Giants) – Dangerous Contact
