Super League fans say the same thing after St Helens’ Tommy Makinson cops ban

St Helens star Tommy Makinson has copped a three-game ban following his red card against Hull KR and the disciplinary decision has left fans fuming.

Makinson was sent off late on in St Helens’ 42-6 loss to Super League leaders Hull KR when the winger jumped into a tackle with Tyrone May in an attempt to ‘jam up’ and prevent a quick offload from the silky playmaker.

Unfortunately for Makinson and Saints, his shoulder connected with the head of the Robins stand-off and despite May getting to his feet, waving away referee Chris Kendall’s concerns and playing the ball, the play was called back and the incident was reviewed.

Video referee Ben Thaler was the man to review it and after a brief delay, Chris Kendall showed Makinson his second red card of the season explaining: “You’re bolt upright, its shoulder direct to head and there is no mitigation.”

The red card itself was controversial but after the Match Review Panel found Makinson guilty of a Grade D charge, carrying a three-game ban, fans have reacted in rage at the decision.

St Helens man’s ban labelled an “absolute joke”

Much of the reaction came after St Helens took to X to confirm the decision had been made to ban Makinson with the winger now looking likely to have played his last home game as a Saint.

Makinson will join Catalans after 14 years with the Red Vee and his three-game ban means he will miss the club’s last regular season home game, therefore unless St Helens bag an unlikely fourth-place finish or there is a successful appeal, Makinson has played his last game in front of his loyal fans.

Reacting to news of the ban, one fan said: “Well if that isn’t incentive enough to make the playoffs, what a way for a player to give his all to the club to be given a farcical 3 match and maybe have been his last game at totally wicked, hope you are appealing.”

Well if that isn’t incentive enough to make the playoffs, what a way for a player to give his all to the club to be given a farcical 3 match and maybe have been his last game at totally wicked, hope you are appealing

— Ann McCormack (@AnnMcC68) August 26, 2024

Another also called for an appeal, arguing: “What an absolute joke!! I hope Mr Rush will be getting the appeal books out for this one!! Didn’t even think it was a red!! Rules are a joke!!!”

Several fans also referenced the fact that Tyrone May seemingly took no issue with the tackle, continuing with the game and waving away Chris Kendall’s concerns.

A Hull KR fan shared their thoughts: “Tyrone May wanted to carry on. No Rovers players complained at the tackle. No Rovers fans complained even after seeing it on the screen several times. 3 games for it is ridiculous.”

Another said: “Tyrone May said he was fine and wanted to carry on. It was a penalty at most, never mind a red card resulting in a 3 match ban. Ridiculous.”

Tyrone May wanted to carry on. No Rovers players complained at the tackle. No Rovers fans complained even after seeing it on the screen several times. 3 games for it is ridiculous https://t.co/KaNh4Vzbgo

— James Purling (@Jahmez_HKR) August 26, 2024

The lack of appeal from any Hull KR players was noted by another who explained: ” Not one single Hull KR player or supporter wanted a penalty. The players actually wanted to play on. You’ve got Wigan fans tweeting it was never a red. Now Makinson misses 3 games thanks to the weak, clueless, incompetent jobsworths at the RFL.”

Those on the Serious About Rugby League Facebook page also took issue as they responded to the initial report of the ban.

Joshua Smith stated: “The game we all know is finished.”

Malc Dootson, a Wigan fan, agreed that it was a “disgusting” decision, noting: “I am a Wigan fan so I don’t need to explain my feelings for saints. But that decision was never a red and 3 match ban is absolutely disgusting bet Makinson is pissed off with the whole game panel we are going to lose players to nrl they are not going to put up with this much longer. Players should strike till the ref’s get a level of consistency.”

When Wigan fans are siding with St Helens on a decision then it must be said that it was certainly controversial.