Smith's Crew in SA

[LP]

That might be correct Jimbo - ultimately I don’t think Smith is a bad egg... his punishment is massive, if he cops it on the chin he will be back in 12 months.

He should probably appeal, because the magnitude of the penalty is potentially excessive relative to say du Plessis.

I won't be surprised to find Warner appealing, and if he is successful Smith and Bancroft will automatically get a reduced penalty. But I think the lawyers would probably want Smith to appeal and let Warner and Bancroft be the silent beneficiaries. It won't be hard to legally paint Smith as the Captain who went down with the ship, and suggest the penalty is excessive!

Personally, I think the CA penalty is a bit like the way Carlton dealt with the Mitch Robinson, it isn't just about the act it is about the lie! Boof's recent media statements seem to make that clear, he has come across as genuinely offended, and that is consistent with the bowlers reaction over the last few days.

I suspect that when they were first planning this act if they had also made a consistent plan about what to do if caught they would probably be facing a lower penalty. Am I too kind?

btw., I think it feels about right, but then CheatsFC only got 12 months for pumping exotic foreign and possibly toxic substances into the veins of the Dirty 34 young men! It seems very disappointing to see Hird returning to the AFL so soon, will BumberT be next? Smith might we feel aggrieved!