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

Oggy123 it's not that long ago that Gareth was wanted in the NRL, he turned them down maybe not as good as Sonny Bill ?But I was at the HJ for the World Cup game and saw Sonny Bill put the ball over the dead ball line , even the best make mistakes

granted Gareth have been of a different nature , time will tell.

Like I said earlier I really hope I am proved totally wrong. Good luck to the lad.

Come on, Leigh!

Delighted about the signing....welcome to Leigh Gaz, and try some Lobby, you'll love it !!!

Well I really didn't want Hock to sign & I'm still not convinced this isn't going to be a mistake. However he's here now & it's up to him. If he goes out onto that pitch with the right attitude & gives his all playing rugby for Leigh I'll be very happy to be wrong & will gladly cheer him on.

Yeah maybe we can get him some lobby but i can't see him joining the boys singing the Flute song

Ok remove the loose cannon stuff and he's a devestating player in both attack and defence, arguably the worlds best 2nd rower and i'd argue that point all day long.

What isn't world class and the main reason he's only playing for Leigh (no disrespect), is his attitude and his lack of judgement.
Sort this guys attitude and you have genuine class player, and a class above the championship (again no disrespect)

PS
You turned Matty Blythe into a better player, i think it's the lobby

One thing I am very clear on - anyone that wants Gareth to fail or won't support him 100% as he starts his career with Leigh, doesn't deserve to be called a Leigh fan. Whether we like it or not, he is now a Leyther and deserves our full support and best wishes.

Good post.

Wise words mate !
I challenge anyone to look in the mirror and say in all honesty they have never had a few "shake your head moments" in both work and personal life. I know I have, but fortunately when I've done it, I've not had thousands of people watching me in person, Sky TV showing it in slow motion replays and the media passing judgement on it and my qualities as a human being.
Gareth needs to embrace our club values, and realize that because of what he does he is under the microscope., like it or not. We are a family club and positive role models are what we are about. He will get that from Paul Rolley and I challenge him to become that for the Leyther kids who will cheer him on from here forward.