Quite correct, it's not as if he wanted some hot food when none was available and then punched someone.

That's good news. Hopefully this will be the last of it. Perhaps the club should invest in a minder for Zak? A good reason to re-sign Kirke from Wakefield - he seemed a sensible chap, has a good turn of pace for a big man and a track record for running down outside backs

I think Zak will still have his sights on the NRL

YEP just confirmed Zak/Elliot admitted to the assault, got away with a £200 fine each and an apology.

Interestingly, West Yorkshire police have filled in the gaps in the club's statement albeit not directly.

Turns out Hardaker and Minchella have admitted to the assault (which the club "forgot" to mention in its statement) and have agreed a community restitution consisting of a £200 fine and a written apology to the victim rather than criminal charges.

So not quite the "not guilty" the club tried to paint it as.

The fact both got off with little more than a £200 fine each in a situation where two people have assaulted someone should tell you there's a hell of a lot more to what actually happened rather than it being a straight forward assault.

That's pretty much how I see it too.

That's not to excuse Hardaker & Minchella but as you say it's not a straight forward case.

aye, if it were a straight forward case of a 2 v 1 assault the CPS would love to hang two local celebs by the nearest lamp post. somethings not being said.

main this is Leeds have stated that both players are available for selection.

Anyone else think that perhaps as this happened before Hardaker moved in with his team mates and the club apparently knew about it for several weeks, that maybe they've encouraged the move for the next five months to try and keep him put of trouble and help him grow up a bit?

Just a theory but makes sense.

As I see it. They've ended up in some student accommodation with some of the students from there. It's in the early hours and one student who has probably got to be up early for an exam or to hug a tree has come out complaining about noise, they've argued, couple of punches thrown, end of.

More a fight, all be it a one sided one as you would expect with a RL player vs a tax dodger. Assualt and attack are exaggerated terms, hardly like he's ended up with broken ribs, broken leg, internal injuries......just some black eyes and a bit of brushing on his neck, probably took two punches at most. Probably just thought it was a golden chance for a bit of compo (why he went to the club first apparently) to pay some of his uni fees or buy some weed with. The players and club, happy to oblige so it can be sorted and moved on with quickly and easily.

Sounds likely....... You sure you weren't involved printer with that much detail ahaha

IMO They have had a lucky break. Hopefully they will both move on with a more mature and professional attitude. I hope that behind the scenes, the riot act has been well and truly read to both.

Are we convinced this all has a 'happy ending though"

Because the Police have removed the threat of criminal action I assume that the employer has to make them available for selection?

However the club are still doing their internal investigation and given he's admitted to an assault, however minor/trivial, IF Zak was on a final written warning for disciplinary reasons (and I don't know if he was) then surely this could well lead to his dismissal?

Well the part about being out until 3am. IF the team had training just several hours later that morning (they should probably be able to recall that being the opening week of the season) I reckon that would p*ss off the management more.

They don't have to make him available, they could say they're dropping him for two weeks with two weeks suspension etc.

Think a financial slap on the wrists by the club to both guys and that'll be the book closed on it.

that is one of the largest ifs i have ever read. why not make up more stuff you have absolutely no clue about? i will help you, we could call it Zakanory

People should not assume that the incident was trivial because of the "punishment". If the general public knew just how far people could go and avoid a custodial sentence or even a trial they would be appalled. Criminal justice system is creaking and the prisons are bursting at the seams.

Hardaker is a great talent but he's simply never going to learn. Gareth Hock was a great talent.

If I were Leeds I'd cash in as soon as I was confident that Goulding was ready.

That's unfair, you're comparing a talented but slightly flawed young man with a complete and utter ar*ehole.

It's Golding not Goulding. Unless Bobby is making a comeback.

Love this post!

wonder if the students in question still have a student loan or if it's. amazingly, been paid off?

Shock horror, Hardaker is guilty of......erm......feck all. Any wonder he'll be off to NRL, who could blame him

Der... That's why I wrote IF in capitals. I never said he was on one , so wind your neck in

Thought he was found guilty of assault AJC?
Difficult one for the club as Zak was out until the early hours and has been found guilty of assault.
Do the club slap his wrist, suspend him or say Zak is really really sorry for letting the club and himself down and it's being dealt with internally?
Personally I would suspend him for a month and fine him a couple of weeks pay and make it public one more indiscretion and he is out on his ear.

Leeds announced that Hardaker had received a written warning after his world cup misdemeanour. If he survives this latest incident he must now be in the last chance saloon.
You get the feeling he is not learning from his mistakes.