It is a difficult question really, will Wigan want Hock back, and will Hock want to come back?

I guess much will depend on how he spends his two years out of the game.

Whether the ban for cocaine use is harsh or not, everyone knows the punishment they will receive if caught. Therefore, I can't see how anyone can feel sorry for him.

He's thrown away two of the best years of his career and possibly his entire career. I feel sorry for him in that the guy has made a massive mistake which he is going to have to live with for the rest of his life.

Having said all that though, sympathy can't affect the decision here: I don't think Wigan should give him a second chance. He should never play for the club again.

He's not on his own... news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 137680.stm

He's not on his own... news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 137680.stm

That's how I feel.

Quality post fully agree.

everybody makes mistakes and like you say hopefully he will learn from it and come back a better and more mature person.

No surprise there.

Is Hock driven and, dare I say it, enlightened enough to knuckle down for 2 years, get clean and come back bigger and better than ever?

I'm inclined to think not, but I certainly hope I'm wrong and wish him all the best in a tough time.

He would have known the risks though, so i really dont see how anyone (except himself) can feel sorry for him. I used to work in a environment that meant i could be tested randomly, i didnt have anything to worry about as i wouldnt have tested positive, but i new the risks if i did do something i shouldnt have!

With no other training or apparent talents or suitability for other jobs that will even pay him in the region of what he would be earning at wigan, was it worth the risk of being a big time charlie infront of his mates, who very well may disapear now he has to go down the job club?

I do think though that he will be at wigan in some capacity for the length of his ban.

I feel sorry for him because he has poor judgment - if he hadn't made this stupid mistake he'd still be one of the top RL players in this country, instead he is out of the playing side of the sport for 2 years and likely to find himself unemployed. He's been stupid and will have to pay a heavy price (and don't get me wrong, he SHOULD pay a heavy price) not just now, this will haunt him for the rest of his life.

is he able to play/train for an amateur non league club ?

TAXI for hock

Understand what your saying bud, perhaps its just that i seldom have sympathy for people!

95% of peoples problems are self made!

Any proffesional athlete has a short career, which can be made even shorter at any point (lucas, clarke), and to increase your risk of making it shorter is the dumbest thing that you can do!

That midweek session dont make much sence now does it.

He new the risk, he took the chance and it has bitten him big style.

If wigan do get shot, what are his options, with his qualifications, skill set and employability in the real world?

He could if he wanted to put his social life on hold for another 4 years retired at 30 with more cash than he would ever have earned and just done what he wanted to at a relativly young age!

I know thats all very high and mighty of me, but how stupid do you have to be!

My view on it too.

I dont feel sorry for him. He knew the risks and this is what happens. That said, I do think he deserves a second chance.

He'll get a 2nd chance from you guys, well if he doesn't totally go off the rails in the meantime.

not one that is affiliated to the RFL.

Don't get me wrong, I know what you mean. The guy has been very stupid and part of me says that it serves him right.

On the other hand he's probably had temptation put in his way many times and he hasn't had the judgment to realise that he had too much to lose, to change his circle of friends, that's why I feel sorry for him. I doubt he did it out of arrogant malice but a stupid failure to realise he needed to keep away from drugs.

Unfortunately for Hock he doesn't seem to have had the judgment to take these hard choices, to keep away from friends and situations which could lead to problems. I feel sorry for him because I can understand how someone could be weak and stupid enough to make those kinds of mistakes, even if its not something I would ever do myself.

So he could play for a BARLA club?

Well wrote!!!!!

still he finished the season on a high.

Who are you to point the finger?

and he thought his team had a sniff of some silverware.

good post but whats to say these friends are not his work pals who luckily didnt get tested cos as plenty of people have posted and i know myself cos i have seen it with my own eyes other pro sportsman taking part in these such activities.

wwweeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyy!

i heard gareth loves going out with that cockayne .








from hull kr, best friends