In 2022, Alex Walmsley heartbreakingly missed out on the Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos and after an injury against Leigh Leopards he looked destined to miss out on another but he has been fit to feature lately including in a play off game against Warrington Wolves.

In this game he was yellow carded for contact with the head but despite a mitigating factor meaning he avoided a red card some still called for him to be banned.

On Sky Sports, Jon Wilkin explained why this shouldn’t be the case. He said: “I know I’m ex-Saints and people will say I’m biased but that just a yellow for me, nothing more in it.”

Going into the panel there will have been a lot of focus on Alex Walmsley after his yellow card against Warrington Wolves.

He made contact with the head but was saved from a red card by the mitigating factor of Jordy Crowther’s body position.

Walmsley was charged for this but avoided a ban and instead was fined.

The Panel described it as a “reckless high tackle” and said he “tried to tackle but was reckless about the outcome.”

This was the right decision given the mitigating factors around Walmsley’s tackle.

With the panel often criticised, this decision should be praised.

Walmsley’s teammates were also in trouble after a number of high tackles which raises the nervous energy around the Champions.

As for Hull KR they could have been nervous about Matt Parcell’s interaction with Jack Smith as well as Mikey Lewis’ tackle on Gareth O’Brien.

With regards to the other two teams, they also faced bans but they would likely not matter. The most obvious incident to review was Joe Bullock’s yellow card for a high tackle which was again saved from red by a mitigating factor.

This is because initial contact was made with the chest of Morgan Knowles.

But the charges are now in and include a ban for Edwin Ipape for dangerous contact and one for George Williams for the shoulder charge.

There were also four fines including one for Alex Walmsley after his high tackle on Jordy Crowther.

This alongside Joe Bullock was the major talking point and he too was only fined.

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
George Williams (Warrington Wolves) – Grade B Shoulder Charge – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Alex Walmsley (St Helens) – Grade B High Tackle – £250 Fine
Joe Bullock (Warrington Wolves) – Grade B High Tackle – £250 Fine
Matt Nicholson (Warrington Wolves) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine