Also says that he missed out on their preseason trip to Florida, could be something to do with visa troubles, especially if he is in (or has been in) a spot of bother with authority recently...

Precisely. Whilst any club would want a player of Hocks playing ability, very few would want his disruptive influence. Wigan are happy to have druggies on their payroll, and for some odd reason their fans idolise the likes of Hock Newton and Gleeson. I say leave the disruption over there, I don't believe McManus would tolerate it here, as he didn't tolerate bad behaviour from the likes of Moore or bannister.

The reason he didn't to to Florida was that he was having shoulder surgery, as was reported at the time.

So, as far as you are concerned, there are no ongoing issues with Mr Hock and Wigan? Just a shoulder injury and everything else is not true?

I have heard nothing since around July/ August last year, when someone told me about with an altercation with a man in Wigan. The rest has been the usual message board rumour mill cr@p.

Hock has definitely had a shoulder op, and was the subject of a bid from Parramatta.

without a doubt

Someone said he's a very good player on his day....and he is....but how many 'days' does he have left in him? Way back when, Wigan sold Salary Hanley and to those of us on the outside it looked like a mistake. But, he was still a very good player, carried far more kudos and commanded a hefty fee....good business (cue those on the inside saying there were back room issues....and knowing Hanley, there probably were but they had bought him with those issues and accepted them when he was worth it). Much like Hock now, but as his playing days reduce, so does the margin between what he does on the pitch offsetting what he does off it. My belief is that he is on the downward slope of his career and would you want to accommodate him for two years then have protracted contract negotiations as he'd want another two, club would offer only one, blah blah blah.....and thats if you believe he is on his way out from Wigan in the first place.

Also, any modern club should be choosin to protray an image that doesn't include a player with his off field history.

I have seen him inspire his team mates to victories and provide many rousing moments for his club's fans.....he is one of them. He could never provide that level of excitement for me, no matter how well he plays as he is one of them......which if there are enough who think like that would affect his time at the club and we'd have another homesick player, admittedly for Wigan rather than Australia.

I've also seen him have poor games as his aggression and attitude have got the better of him. Plus someone mentioned his suspension rate per season....too high.

...oh and have I mentioned he's a complete @*!#"

Just been told by two separate, unrelated sources that he's signed for Widnes.

A graveyard for Wigan players

if true thats kevin brown and hock....a group of lovely people

Nothing wrong with Kev Brown. He get's alot of stick that I don't understand. He's a nice, down to earth lad off the field.

I love these rumour threads!

as a friend of Gareth there are no truth to these rumours at all. Don't believe me? wait and see

As a saints fan would I have him in the team? without a doubt!

Who hates Saints with a passion. Not exactly a surprise he doesnt get much positive press here.

Oh who cares about the smackhead.

There's a big difference between not getting positive press and some of the personal abuse he has taken on here in the past.

So can you confirm that he hasn't been turning up for his rehab following his op and Wigan are not impressed with that?

Hock would be a loss to the Pies no doubt. He goes missing in some of the more important games but he gives them that bit of aggression a team needs occasionally. Unfortunately what he gives is usually balanced with penalties and knock ons. A good coach could sort him out.

Seen him in his car at the wilmere lane cross roads near Widnes. However i never saw whether he went straight on to Warrington, turned right to widnes or left to st Helens.

If true, I hope that you are duly barred from Langtree Park (and surrounding areas) for being friends with it (and not being too ashamed to admit it)



Joking aside, I seriously dont think we need Hock in our team. Would be a big chunk of cap on a player to play the same position as Manu, Soliola, Puletua, Wilkin & Flanagan who are all capable of performingthere. Hock hits a good line, but so do Manu, Sia and TP, He has a good offload but so does Manu, Sia, TP, and Wilkin, and he makes less tackles than Wilkin, Flanagan and cant hit like Sia can either. Waste of money if we were to sign him (and generally a waste of space and air)

www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-5316916

www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-5316916

Whilst you might not want him at our club, he's been a real thorn in our side in the derby matches. He's one of the main reasons that wigan can gear up for the derby better than us.
If he leaves Wigan, it'll be good for Saints for the most important 2 fixtures of the year.

I always see him at Burger King in Wigan

"They have been alerted to his apparent unrest at the Warriors and it’s understood chairman Ian Lenagan could be prepared to part with the England forward if the price is right."

Won't be us then, thankfully

If a chunky fee is involved then it narrows the field down rather considerably. I'd put money on Hull if he's off anywhere myself - he'd be a good fit for them.

They've just signed Ellis though. I'd imagine he wouldn't come cheap.