Graham

Gutherson has had a standout season up to last weekend. He has been on my radar for ages, but what with other priorities and injuries he slipped my grasp. Too late now of course. Maybe next season...............

So Mr Cecchin escapes punishment as he was the senior referee and as such his duty is to ball watch. That reasoning sounds okay, what do you reckon? Bunker man Sutton and the assistant ref Butler carry the can.

Billy Slater to miss Round 21 due to injury. he says he will be back playing in the Storm R22 game against Cowboys.

Do you have Billy Slater in your squad? Hold or sell? It's probably worth holding him unless you have trades to burn. Billy won't be playing this weekend (R21) but has said he will be back for the Cowboys game (R22)

I understand the desire to let the game flow, refs blowing their acme thunderers or similar less, but clear and deliberate and dangerous play has to be stamped out. Refs have to blow the whistle and take action that shows that this sort of won't be allowed and will be punished e.g late tackles in open play, late tackles on kickers, defenders deliberately moving to obstruct chasing attackers, even lazy stuff like not playing the ball properly. The message will get through and then the game will flow again without the level of deliberate fouling being as high. Another thought on Soliola, Maybe he was given the job to target Billy to keep his contribution to the game limited, and went for it big time. He should have "went" for it on the day.

Eels' push to the finals has taken a blow with confirmation Clint Gutherson has suffered a season ending ACL injury. “This is disappointing news for Clint and the team as he has been a strong contributor so far this season,” said coach Brad Arthur. “We wish him all the best in his recovery and I am sure he will be back stronger then ever next season.” “Despite this setback the team is more determined then ever to make a strong finish to the season.”

He was a player I thought I'd be bringing in afterOrigin. Glad I waited.

Parramatta' push to the finals has taken a huge blow with confirmation superstar Clint Gutherson has suffered a season ending ACL injury. “This is disappointing news for Clint and the team as he has been a strong contributor so far this season,” said coach Brad Arthur. “We wish him all the best in his recovery and I am sure he will be back stronger then ever next season.” “Despite this setback the team is more determined then ever to make a strong finish to the season.”

I'm keeping him though hes nominally a full back in my squad.

Hope if anything it just affects him when exerting himself physically to the extreme, not just in day to day activities. Actually what I mean to say is I hope he fully recovers over asap now he'sbrought his career to a close.

At the end of the session he apologised to Billy and his family. Fair and decent. 5 games was close to what I thought he'd get given the publicity and outrage expressed, and the statement made by Tony Archer. Thought it would be 6. Given that the case has been heard that just about wraps the matter up, assuming Billy recovers well in the meantime. There is though the matter of the poor decision and lack of action by the officials on duty for the game. One actually indicated a striking action was involved. Soliola played a key role in Raiders comeback try. Any more of that and that really would have rubbed salt into Storm's wound. I take it the official(s) will pay a proper penalty for their failure?

Wakefield Trinity has announced the signing of Newcastle Knights hooker Tyler Randell on a two-year deal. Randell, 24, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal; the hooker will make the move from the NRL side Newcastle Knights to the Super League for the 2018 season.

Newcastle Knights have announced that Connor Watson has signed a three-year contract with the club, commencing in 2018. Watson made his NRL debut at the Sydney Roosters in 2016 and has played 30 NRL games.

After joining the club this season, Newcastle Knights utility Rory Kostjasyn has been forced to announce his retirement from the game. Kostjasyn sustained a complex throat injury during a routine pre-season training session in January. He has undergone a number of surgeries to repair the injury, however, his airways have been significantly narrowed.