St Helens make appeal decision on star’s ban after controversial red card

After the Match Review Panel found St Helens’ Tommy Makinson guilty of a Grade D charge of ‘Head Contact’, the club have now reportedly appealed his three-game ban.

That’s according to The St Helens Star who report that the club have decided to contest the three-game ban handed to their veteran winger. Serious About Rugby League has contacted the RFL to confirm whether an appeal has been lodged.

If an appeal does go ahead, as reported, it will be held tomorrow evening at an RFL Operational Rules Tribunal with the club looking to overturn or possibly reduce the winger’s controversial ban.

Makinson earned his second red card of the season in the loss against Hull KR with Chris Kendall sending him off five minutes from time for ‘shoulder-to-head’ contact on Tyrone May.

There was plenty of debate about whether it was a red card so when the verdict of a Grade D charge and a three-match ban was returned, it caused uproar among fans.

St Helens appeal Makinson ban

St Helens also obviously feel aggrieved by the decision for them to lodge an appeal and likely feel they have a very strong case, perhaps aided by the fact that not a single Hull KR player appealed.

In fact, Tyrone May even got up, waved away any concern from Chris Kendall and played the ball, with play later being brought back under advise from the video referee Ben Thaler.

One thing that will go against Makinson at the appeal would be his previous three-match ban after his red card against Castleford with his past record a potential hindrance.

If St Helens are unsuccessful in overturning or reducing the appeal then it will likely mean that Makinson will not play at The Totally Wicked Stadium in front of the home fans again, as he’s currently slated to miss the final home game of the season.

Saints could bag a home playoff game if they finish fourth but doing so with their current injury issues, poor form and without their star winger would be an incredibly tough ask.

Makinson ends his 14-year spell with Saints at the end of the season after agreeing to a deal with Catalans Dragons.