Hock offers quite a bit of “x factor” when he’s on song. He can bust the line almost at will and has a great offload. He’s tough in defence and has a bit of pace. His ability isn’t in question. Attitude wise it’s another matter. He played under a fair few coaches and never managed to sort out his ill-discipline. If Rowley manages that he’ll have done something no other coach has done before. I don’t really see why Rowley will have any more chance of doing that. Has he done this before?

It’ll be interesting to see how Hock integrates. Over the years I’ve had first-hand experience of playing in sides that are settled and then seeing that disappear when a new player comes in who rubs everyone up the wrong way. It can seriously mess things up. If a player has a bad attitude it can be really difficult to communicate with him positively when things are going wrong. Then you end up with the team in one faction and the bad apple on his own. It can often be a relief to play without him. I’m not saying that will happen with Hock but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. Do Leigh need that? They’re the top team in the division and settled and happy. An “on song” Hock offers a lot but will he deliver or let his teammates down?

I remember a story I was told about Hock when he was a kid when he was on the point of being chucked out at Wigan before he’d played a first team game. Back then he went by the name Gareth Charnock. After being read the riot act he came in the next day and said Gareth Charnock was no more. He was Gareth Hock and was ready to make a fresh start. Since then he’s had more ups and downs than the big one at Blackpool.

If he can overcome the discipline issues he’ll be superb for you. I expect he’ll take time to settle down and Rowley will have a real challenge to get on his wavelength. He’s always a second away from losing it when provoked which makes him a real gamble if you’re investing serious money. If I were in charge I’d have plenty of clauses in the contract meaning it’s void if he blows it again.

Don't forget the little white stuff as well

That was a really good post! There is absolutely nothing to suggest he will change.

That said, I hope he has enough decency to recognise the life-line Leigh have thrown him. I don't mean this to sound condescending to Leigh but the step down may be a humbling experience. Working for a club who has to fight for every penny and playing amongst lads who do this for a fraction of what he earns may prick his conscience and make him reflect.

As for the Twitter incident Mish mentioned, I had no idea about that, not being media savvy an all. Little worried though that, once again, he failed to exercise self-control after all that's gone on!

Finally, given he is media savvy I suspect he may be casting an eye over this thread. If he is, I'd like to say welcome (to my second club, and this coming from a Saint) Leigh. They are the best supporters you will ever play for and as loyal as could be. The slate is clean. DON'T LET US DOWN!!!!

Are Leigh just trying to put more bums on seats with the signing of Hock?

Does the current squad, that are champions and still have great momentum - plus still loads more to come yet - REALLY need Hock?

Leigh are already there to be shot at this season, will Hock handle that or go OTT?

Has Rowley given himself extra workload he can really do without? Eye-off-the-ball and all that.

People seem to be misunderstanding what Gareth Hock is all about. If I was a Leigh fan, I would have absolutely no concerns over Gareth Hock upsetting the dressing room. Infact I imagine it will lift the players to have someone of Gareth's reputation in English RL sharing the dressing room with them. You only have to take a look at the tweets from Marwan Koukash and the players alike when it was announced that Hock would be leaving Salford, they were all very positive and it was obvious they would miss him around the place.

Where the major issue/risk through signing Gareth Hock comes from within his own head, whilst he is on a RL pitch. I don't know what it is, but whenever he steps onto that grass he turns into a ticking time bomb which you just know is going to explode at any time. Sure, with his talent he can be a huge asset to any team in the Championship but he could also cost you games through his stupidity and petulance whether this is through a sin-binning, sending off or suspensions. In the Championship this might not be an issue, as without Gaz Hock it would seem Leigh are the better team anyway so if you can potential afford for him to sit on the sidelines for a good few weeks of the season then he's worth a punt. Unfortunately, in Super League we cant afford for one of our more expensive players not to be making a positive impact on the team.

I hope it works out for you and Gaz. During his last two bans with us, I have had concerns over the guys mental state. Without RL where would Hock be? I assume either inside or dead. He needs the sport in his life and this really is his last chance to do something with his career. Lets hope he realises this and Leigh reap the benefits.

Good post...

Sorry mate but by that reckoning if say Danny Brough/Greg Inglis etc etc. became available we shouldnt go for them because we already have a settled half back pairing?

One would hope that Gareth realises that he cant have many 'lives' left and will go that extra mile on what is being called by some his 'last chance saloon' to just show them and himself what he can really do - only time will tell and I would sooner have him in my squad than in an opponents thats for sure.

Knowing Paul as I do he never takes his eye off the ball, he is a very clever and shrewd operator.

I want to believe you're right because the opposite could prove to be very costly in more ways than one.

Come on, Leigh!!!

Fax fans said the same about Barlow. How many clubs had he had? 7 in about as many seasons? It seems to have worked out for him at Leigh.

Love him or hate him Hock is super league quality with the experience Leigh need if to get promotion this year. Players come with reputations but if PR thinks he has the man management skills to deal with Hock then let him have ago, one thing for sure if Hock does sign and PR does manage him correctly then Leigh will of gained a high quality experienced super league and international player.

Hock is an international/ NRL standard player nevermind SL

Greg at last you seem to be right

Sam Barlow was the Pantomime Villain in our Division , where Gareth is the same in RL in Britain , I think Paul and his Staff will know what to expect and hopefully Gareth will prove an inspired signing , of course that is IF he has signed .

I said before it will be interesting to see the opinions of the Leigh Fans who said NO to signing Gareth change if he signs , what a pack we will have then , we already have the BEST pack in this Division and to add a Quality Player like Gareth would be a coup no doubt , no wonder Fax and Bradford fans don't want us to sign him .

I was hoping that he wouldn't sign, but he's signed now, so my thoughts now on reflection are;

I don't think he will cause dressing room problems, as someone has already said, seemed he got on well with the Salford dressing room.

He will have brain farts during some games, but if he gives away some silly penalties, it's a case of who doesn't concede penalties? And back ourselves to defend off the back of it.

If he repeats any of the extreme brain farts (going in with knees, colliding with refs etc..) and gets a hefty ban, then hope club can discipline him accordingly.

Ultimately, hope we're not going all out for promotion at a cost of financial stability.

Ive not seen a single Fax fan say that they dont want Leigh to sign him. I have seen the odd Fax fan say that they wished we had signed him. I think it adds even more exposure to this division which isnt a bad thing.

I am Proud our club can attract players like Fui Fui and Gareth, It does concern me though that almost the whole of RL in all divisions knows or think they know that Gareth when provoked is very likely to react and all to often get sent off and put his team mates at a disadvantage. I predict lots of "special" attention somewhat akin to big Sam, maybe we are recruiting "hotheads" so as the opposing team has to face too many to give them all "special" attention



, anyway welcome aboard Gateth you have no idea just how much we all want your time with us to be a great time .....

Sorry to be negative (and I [ireally[/i hope I am proved wrong) but I have just watched the press conference and still can't help thinking Leigh have made an error. Some of Hock's "silliness" in youtube clips is just madness. Bordering on assault!

Another point, if Gareth is such a "world class" player (words that have been used so many times over the last few days) then why was he only at Salford? (No disrespect to the Red Devils)

Why was this world class player not at Saints, Wigan etc?? Surely a world class player plays for the best teams?

I just think leigh are getting carried away a bit. Surely there are better options out there that we can sign. Even if it means just being a bit more patient.

All that said, he's a Leigh player now and I will back him. I'll just have to cover my 8 and 5 year old's eyes up if he starts with the nonsense.

I never have and never will boo a Leigh player.I have in the past failed to applaud one I can't respect on moral grounds or for my own reasons whatever they may be.

This was and still is my stance on the signing of Gareth Hock.

I hope Paul can tame and help the fella but for me he has had his chances and others deserve his wage and position in our club far more.

It's not ALL about success, but I am currently really enjoying the ride but today is not a celebratory one for me. Unless of course the Whinos lose tonight.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Well whatever you think of him I think when he plays well he is special.

Welcome to Leigh Garreth and lets hope we are able to visit Wigan Wire Saints Saints and the usual suspects next season.

Will be great to have proper derby games again.

Welcome to Leigh Gareth.

Did I want it to happen? No, not really.

Will I support him now? Absolutely, 100%. He starts with a clean slate, at possibly the best 'family' club in RL. That experience could/should do him a power of good.

Ant , obviously you didn't know but Gareth played 191 games for Wigan and you don't play that many games for Wigan if you are not up to scratch it's blatant the lad has had his problems he did Ok at Widnes , but Marwan is NOT the easiest of blokes to impress , I think Gareth will be a sensation in this League.

Of course I knew that. Even though I have been away from the game for a long time (and yes, admittedly, I have lost touch with the game somewhat) but "world class" players play for the best clubs all the time.

Maybe Hock used to be world class and/or maybe his skills are still world class, but it takes more than that for me.

Can't believe some of the tripe I'm hearing on here! Better options out there? Go on hit me with them???? Sonny bill??? Antony watmough?? He's the best 2nd rower in the country fact! He doesn't get that recognition because he's a loose cannon! No disrespect too any Leigh player at the moment but playing leigh is a whole different proposition now!!

Don't worry Ant ,when Gareth pulls on a Leigh shirt he will be up to mark and ready to hit the ground running, personally I think this is a very good signing , it is a risk but all signings are a risk, this Leigh squad are very impressive ,when fully fit our pack will be a Juggernaut ,watch us mow down the rest.

Starbug here , I agree frank , I always thought Gareth was ' special ' , but he's here now , so I look forward to seeing him play RL for us , anything else will not be welcomed