League: Suspended Betham comes out firing

Warriors hard man Monty Betham says perceptions of him having a poor disciplinary record are exaggerated. He is bemused by sports commentators bringing up his record with the judiciary after he was suspended for six-weeks for a dangerous throw in the 24-6 loss to the West Tigers.

"Last year and this one are probably the only two times that I've been called up, besides when I was nine when I got told off, so it's a bit unfair," said Betham.

The incident last year, where he stiff-armed Broncos prop Petero Civoniceva, hurt Betham more than the Kangaroos prop and Betham says his mongrel reputation has gotten out of hand.

Betham, who has been voted by all of the players in the NRL as the most feared opponent in Rugby League Week polls, believes he has done pretty well playing in such a physically demanding position and having a reasonable track record. Last year's captain said there is a perception in the NRL attached to the Warriors that their tackles are always borderline and they often get the rough end of the stick from the judiciary and the media.

"I think they get it wrong. They take for granted that's the way it has been and there are several players that get judged on those mistakes," said the 27-year-old. "In saying that I did the crime so I have to do the time and looking at the tapes we do have technical problems in our tackling that we need to work on."

He is treating his six-week lay-off as a time to freshen up and get himself prepared for a huge comeback when his team-mates may be tiring. In an odd sense the suspension of old heads Betham and Ruben Wiki to suspension is a positive, furthering the depth and experience of what is otherwise a relatively young squad.

Betham's suspension comes as he was just getting back to his best. He has topped the tackle count for the Warriors so far and scored tries in the past two games. Not only does he miss today's big clash with Newcastle at Energy Australia Stadium but also the Anzac test next Friday in Brisbane.

"It's a huge game if you think about why they are playing and who they are honouring. It just adds to the occasion so I am gutted not to be a part of that," says the eight-test Kiwi.

Betham's father, Monty Betham senior, is a big name in the rugby league world and junior wants to do his old man proud.

"Early on I watched his tapes and now realise how good he was. People always talk about my old man and that makes me proud. I just want make the people proud and happy and that's my whole reason for playing. Nothing is better for me than to play in front of my home crowd and win."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY