Had a chat last night and everyone seemed to be unsure. With a 2 year ban on it's way does he then become unatached? then after the 2 years is he a free agent? Will Wigan have first refusal?

What happens?

Nobody knows really.

But will he want to come back to Wigan, he might want to make a fresh start at a new club

What happens is pretty much up to the club. He is contracted for 2 1/2 years. He has been de-registered as a player so his wage doesn't count on the cap so it comes down to should the club support him or make an example of him.

I have an inkling that he is too good a player to make an example of so i think the club will support him as long as he keeps himself clean from now on and he'll be back playing for a play off run in 2011.

If we sack him then he'll have to find another job for 2 years untill his ban is up, he'll still have bills to pay so will need an income then he would find another club when his ban ends (i'm sure there will be plenty willing to give him a chance). I'm not sure how that works with his registration and whether we would hold it or not.

As I understand it, we have the option of holding onto his registration, but whether we will or not is another matter.

I was talking to my mates just before kick off last night and we both suggested why dont we keep him at the club and make him go into schools and into the community like some players already do and talk to young kids about how bad drugs are etc etc.

But keep him at the club still training with the players to keep his fitness levels up.

I really dont want us to let a player of his quality leave even though he did make a huge mistake in what he did he still is a fantastic players and I really could not see him playing for another Super League club.

Would that be indefinatly or untill his current contract is due to expire.

FWIW i totally agree as long he is prepared to do that. It would take bottle to stand in front of a load of kids and tell them how dumb you have been. Everyone deserves a second cahnce but that is all you should get.

Until we give/sell it to another club, I think (I stand to be corrected on that!), much as Bradford did with Karl Pryce.




A Person who has been declared Ineligible may not, during the period of Ineligibility, participate in any capacity in a Competition or other activity (other than authorised anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes) organised, convened or authorised by the RFL or by any body or Club that is a member of, or affiliated to, or licensed by the RFL.


So yeah, the community side would be OK, but not the training.

Thanks for clearing that up although he could still train just by himself I suppose and not with the club.

if we did retain him it must be on the pretense that he keeps himself fit.

The way I read that regulation is Hock can be educated or join a rehabilitation programme not that he can be the educator or be involved in running or helping with a rehabilitation program.

Even if I am wrong the key word is "authorised". Do Wigan run an authorised anti-doping or drug rehabilitation programme? Not to my knowledge.

Could they get one set up just for Hock and have it authorised? Unlikely IMO.

If Wigan [icould[/i do this and actually pay him (which of course would not count on the cap as he has been de-registered) then a two year working holiday would be a bit if a sham.

Considering the practicalities of the situation and what he has done I would be very surprised if he just simply isn't sacked.

Dave

He wont be, its already been said in a roundabout sort of way.

downward spiral for me ... without an outlet for his obvious natural aggression, he may end up in more trouble .. thus harming his chances of rehabilitation and picking up his career in 2 years time ....

I just hope that this is not an indication of a wider culture at Wigan and is just isolated to Hock.

Changing the culture of a club can be a very difficult thing to do.

True, but a club not to far away seems to be managing it.

The club has set the bar with Dave Allen... anything less than the same is hypocritical imho. Time to let him go (breach of contract and all that) and move on...

If in two years time, he's in good shape, and consents to a testing programme and wants to redeem himself to the club, fans that he has let down, and himself, and, there is a space for him at the club, I would have no problem with him returning then.

Precedent will mean nothing - in this case Hock's potential to hurt us in two years time playing for someone else is likely to result in the club's morals going out of the window.

I'm undecided on the whole thing, yes he's let us down big time, but I'm also a believer in rehabilitation. A person like Gaz may need the support of the club and a second chance in life to learn from his mistakes rather than us turning our back on him, which otherwise could result in him being lost to the game completely.

I cannot believe the criticism Hock is facing from many on here.


He did some coke.


It's not like he murdered anyone.


Bloody hell, the guy is a youngster and made a mistake. Haven't we all done that?

Give him a break.

Hes getting a break 2 years.

If that had been Fielden, Ridell, Pryce youd want them out of the club. So hes young there is no exscuse he knew the rules now he has to abide by them.

I agree 100%.

How did they set precedent with dave allen? I'm pretty sure that he was a widnes player when he got caught!

He was definitely at Widnes when he got caught.

My bad, I thought that he was still with us...

The club now then must make a tough decision on how to proceed.