I'll admit that when he first got his ban I was all for him being sacked and not allowed near the club again. I couldn't help but think if he came back to the club he'd be a bad influence and I questioned whether he deserved a second shot after putting the words drugs ban and Wigan Rugby League together in the papers. But with the coaching and manangement staff we have at the club now, i'm sure that whatever happens Hocks attitude will have to be spot on if he's to get anywhere near a first team shirt. Not only this, but if he manages to get into the 17 then he will have to be out performing the likes of Liam Farrell, Joel Tomkins, Harrison Hansen etc. If he manages that then quite frankly he has earned his second chance and will be performing at a very high level, a level that could only help the team perform well. We've seen how these things can go if not managed correctly and so I think we have to say that so far IL seems to have got this one pretty much spot on.

Great stuff. I'm glad he is so desperate to get back into rugby and I hope he proves it by ripping it up on the pitch.

In terms of him playing... I think that 3 months will see him undergo a pre-season training programe with Bitcon, he says that each player has their needs catered for. I think he will have to play in the reserves first and if he plays well then he will get his chance. If he can't get in the team then I would love to see him on loan to gain his confidence back.

It will be interesting to see how he adapts to our new tactics and defencive formation. Farrell has played all of his first team games under Maguire and always attempts to wrestle the attacker on his back.. can Hock pick up these habbits and be a part of this brick sliding wall which we call our defence!

Hock may bemoan his lack of action, but he's still played more games than Eamon O'Carroll since the start of 2009.

I can't ever see him getting ahead of Prescott and Mossop now. We also have Lima on a 2 year deal. Can't see where he will get his gametime from to be honest.

That is shocking.

Does his contract end this year?

If so he would have to make a miraculous quick recovery and play better than Adrian Morley at his peak or hes gotta be off to Salford or somewhere.

good luck to him (as a Saints fan) - great player to watch IMO

let's just hope his experience has sent out a big message to his fellow professionals as well as the kids coming through,though I fear there will always be atleast one vunerable idiot tempted to break the rules and risk it all....

He will make the 17. He was world class on his day prior to his ban.

He will prove a massive impact off the bench and is the primary reason i think joel is moving to the centre's

Absolutely fantastic article. The club have been tremendous in the support package had in place for Gaz, just further confirming my ideas about being responsible employers and embracing players like a family would. Just a pity Terry weren't still at Wigan when his ban came.

Can't bloody wait for June.

Welcome back Gaz

The first U21s game after the ban expires will be worth going to!

Sounds like he has grown up a lot. I for one think he will still offer the current squad something extra. I remember other fans from other clubs on threads on here saying he wont be able to cut it, the game's moved on etc. I really do think he can still be world class, especially if he has cut the silly penalties out.

Very good and moving article from all,just shows what can be done with a little of help and guidence, just hope he is better infront of the sky crew because where he makes his first team game they will be there.

It could be a sell out!

I think I will do a ticket count on ticketmaster

I think Matty B's head just exploded

I hope he can make it. One of my favourite players when he first came into the team. Very very talented.

Everyone deserves a second chance and tbh it's not as if he tried to "cheat" to enhance his performance.

I agree with Brett..... I'm going for a lie down...

With age comes wisdom. It was only a question of time...

PHEW!!! I was giving up hope...

If the reports about his size are correct, then I can see Wigan using Gaz in the same way they are using Lee Mossop now - playing both second row and prop. That being the case, his size is an automatic advantage over Tuson and Farrell, and I can see him edging Lee Mossop and Paul Prescott out too, unless they can both put in some real consistency. Plus, you have to consider injuries - right now we have Fielden and O'Carroll out, with Prescott seemingly doubtful, and we're only 3 games in! I think Gaz has a really strong chance of getting back into the first team before the play-offs.

I can see him being in front of Tuson and Prescott in the pecking order at some point this season but it will take a big effort to displace Mossop if he carries on like he has started. It would take a monumental effort for him to be considered in front of Farrell imo. I think he would be cracking back up at prop though.

He'd have to wait 3 weeks for it because they take a mid season break for an academy test series v France. So it wouldn't be to 9th July v Quins in London.

What a great article.

When he first got banned I was mad as hell - and didn't want anything or anyone to give our club more bad press and did not want him back. When I was asked 'would you rather have him playing against us?' my respnose was always the same 'I would rather have him playing against us and loose; than loose our dignity again as a club'

Reading this article has changed my views - Lenegan and the club have done the right thing in making Hock proove himself and challenge his morals.

He was one of the best in SL at the time of his ban and I'm sure with the bulking up and training he has been doing since the ban he will only come back stronger but even better for me is his WANT to play for Wigan and realising what he had and every so nearly lost.

Well Done Gaz and please please please don't risk loosing it all again

A friend of mine was on a night out in leeds one night and was asked by a promanant Leeds 2nd rower if he could borrow his Mobile Phone quickly as he had left his at home.

After the phone call was made, said 2nd rower offered to buy my mate a pint to say thanks.

In the pub was a mass group of current Leeds Rhinos players all enjoying a few sherberts.

After a couple of pints the question of "who do you hate playing against the most" popped up.

Everyone of the Leeds players said "Gaz Hock". He is hated because he will physically cause pain both tackling and running the ball in. Most thought he is a good lad, others thought he was not...

All agreed that they hated comming up against him the most. Quite an honour from the then Champions.

Get him back into the swing of things and i see no reason why this unofficial title could not be regained.

I have never thought the argument we ought to have him back because if we didn't he'd be lining up against us was a good enough reason to take him back on anyway.

Reading the article you get the impression he certainly needed the help he has had from this Robinson bloke to stop him going off the rails when banned and that fact he seems to have changed is all good for him.

However there are several posts in this thread mentioning who he might replace in the team. Well whoever it is, it will be someone who didn't take drugs and get banned. I have no problem with the likes of Hoffman coming in and taking the place of one of the other back rowers if he proves he's a better player. That is sport but I'd be quite happy if Hock had sorted himself out and went to play for Saints or Bradford or whoever and left our current players to fight for the first team places.

Now before anyone says that is punishing him twice, its not. He can still have an RL career but I'd prefer it if it were elsewhere and the club focused on the lads who have remained professional throughout and won us a grand final. I shall now don my hard hat......

Fickle as this may sound - up until reading the article I was saying pretty much the same as you are now.

I was annoyed that he had spent all his life growing up wanting to play for Wigan - got there and thrown it all away-great advertisement for kids that idolise him. Of course I believe everyone should be given 2nd chances but I wanted that to be at another club and I didn't want Hock back for us as I didn't want us being the soft option.

The article is very well written and obviously written for one reason only, however; little things I have heard along the way and coupled with the article have changed my mind and if he continues and prooves himself then I will welcome him back.