Dragons hit by play off semi-final bans.

 If you are reading here look for some controversial defence of Joel Tomkins and Micky McIlorum's actions from last week, best click elsewhere. 

For me the punishment's fit the crime and these two have let their team mates and coaching staff down with a lack of discipline. 

If these were isolated incidents within the clubs playing staff you could move on and put it down to the excitement of having a play off chance. 

But it isn't so you cant. 

Its a constant thorn in our side and something that can ultimately have an impact on the clubs ability to compete for honours. 

I am all for not taking a step back and for being their for your mates. They are core elements of the game of rugby. 

But picking up a player whose nose you just smeared over his face to try and make it look like he is play acting is wrong. 

This would blow over so much more quickly if the club or the coaches faced the press and said "yeah we crossed a line". But Joel Tomkins defence using his brothers Twitter feed makes me think that they are all taking that "its not our fault" line. 

The owner is also said to be furious over the punishments handed down. But you can be sure that if the boot had been on the other foot he would have been advocating the degree of sentence handed down. 

Play off time should be exciting and wonderful and we should look forward to the occasions. However we continue our journey from being everyone's 2nd favourite team to one of their most hated. 

I don't like that path and want us to show more discipline and control on the pitch whilst not actively recruiting bad boys who can do you no good sat at home because they are banned.