The Serve

White four weeks + Ross seven weeks = The wrong number

Brett White getting a suspension of four weeks compared to seven for Ben Ross is the equivalent of someone hitting an armed burglar over the head with cricket bat and copping a sentence more than half the value of what the burglar received.

Very few players in league are rubbed out for a month. Even fewer for defending a fallen teammate. Without Ross’ disgraceful 70s style elbow, there would have been no retribution necessary. White shoved Ross, then shaped up - face to face – before pummelling the transgressor into submission. A bit like the time Gorden Tallis went toe to toe with, oh that’s right, Ben Ross.

A month? It could be argued the White send-off in the first place was harsh.

Ross argued that his elbow was out of character. He’s right. Normally he prefers smashing jaws with swinging arms. How a player with priors can escape with a seven week ban is extraordinary. Perhaps the Storm should have had their players tell the media how remorseful White was, how tough he’s doing it, with the man himself fronting up with a hangdog look that says ‘Yes I peed on the rug, but I’m really, really sorry’.

Seems to work.