How discipline could cost Salford Red Devils a Super League playoff spot

Salford Red Devils have been handed fresh disciplinary blows after their heavy Magic Weekend defeat.

Rowley’s side were defeated 26-0 by playoff-chasing Leigh Leopards this weekend, in a game that may have huge consequences come the end of the season.

Overlapping sin-bins for Ethan Ryan and Brad Singleton didn’t help the performance, and they played, for a short period, with 11 men – head coach Paul Rowley said after the game: “You can’t play with 11 men, so discipline both with and without the ball.

“The damage done in that period, probably physically, was difficult for us and took its toll in the end.”

Now, the Match Review Panel has determined that both Oliver Partington and Tim Lafai be handed bans meaning the Red Devils will be without two key men when they play against Huddersfield Giants in their next fixture.

So whilst the sin bins from Sunday haven’t cost them down the line in terms of bans, Salford have still had two key players banned, something that will undoubtedly frustrate Paul Rowley.

Salford Red Devils disciplinary problems

On the sin bins for Ryan and Singleton, Rowley had no issues, explaining: “I didn’t overly look at them, no. I think as long as they’re consistent and you see them sort of tackle penalised in the same manner, then nobody can have any complaints.

“I just think I’ll concentrate on what we can do and what we’re in control of. Don’t put ourselves in that position. When you lose one man, then you’re covering more space, and the game’s quicker so there’s always an opportunity to lose two men because like I said before you’re reacting to a situation you’re not in control of.

“We shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position and it’d be easy to whinge and blame and think it’s unfair but we should control ourselves a little bit better.”

Discipline – both on and off the ball, as Rowley said – could potentially end up causing the side to miss out on a play-off spot, as they’re just three points ahead of the chasing Leigh Leopards and level with St Helens and Catalans Dragons.

Missing key men certainly won’t help, and their 15 yellow cards is the second-highest amount in the league, only behind Hull FC highlighting how discipline could well cost them a spot in the playoffs for a second year running.