Agree

He's not your dull, trundling Second Rower if that's what you want.

He makes things happen with his offloads, and as others have pointed out, those coaches that know a lot more about Rugby League than you clearly disagree.

As much as Hocks "Brain-farts" are annoying, and i have been critical, he must be a bloody nightmare to defend against. Strong, fast, and difficult to get a hold of. And, you have no idea if he will offload or not. These types of unpredicabilities make him an asset in structured play, as well as a liability. Great value for money in my view.

I do think he's being a bit more selective with his offloads, even though he is giving up posession still. Having said that, although it's frustrating, I do think what Hock offers us in attack is worth one error a game. What does need to change is the amount of penalties he is giving up, he's worse than ever this year. 9 penalties in 7 games is an absolute sin.

He needs to cut out stupid penalties at crucial times. Didn't he give the penalty away that got Widnes in position for their DG?

Second highest penalty conceder in SL.

You know people used to say the same about Lockers but the amount of work he got through the penalty's were quite small i'm not saying it's the same with Hock cause i dont take note on how much he really does in defense but i will do from now on

His offloads look good when they come off he just tries everytime he takes a ball in

Lockers is a bit of a penalty machine too, and never moreso than last year when he gave up 26 penalties in 26 games. The difference though, as you alude to, is that Lockers makes twice as many tackles, and plays the full 80 in nearly every game.

thats harsh on lockers hes not half as bad as he used to be

Two of Hocks penalties have been for mouthing off, and that is unforgivable.

Cas away, makes a half break demolishing their centre and proceeds to throw the ball over his shoulder without looking 10 yards behind our line stripping us of all our momentum. I could name many more examples from just this season, ignoring the eye gouging last season. He will cost us big in a big game this season and that's why he's not Wigan quality - too much of an idiot.

Cas I can't comment on I was in Cuba but I've seen the other games and I certainly can't think of 'many' other instances of stupid play.

If the lad isn't Wigan quality then there's about 25 lads in our squad that should be shi**ing themselves.

He has 2 areas to work on IMO and they are 1) His general discipline. He can't be an angel in the position and manner he plays but like pointed out penalties for back chat are a sin and 2) to not switch off in defence and start lazily grabbing at people. His defence has been good in the main but when he gets tired he loses concentration.

His attack is immense and with a little work on those 2 areas he'll be one of the very best backrowers in world rugby league. To be truthful he was before his ban and is getting back to that level now.

He gave away more penalties per game last season than ever. He's a great player though, penalties aside.

if hock isnt "wigan quality".. out of interest who is???

Some penalties are 'sensible ones' where it's vital that the momentum of the opposition is stopped because the defence has been constantly on the back foot.

A quick look at last years penalty counts has the following players in the top 25 for penalties given away; Witt, JJB, Henderson, Westwood, Chris Bailey, Hoffman, Holdsworth, Carvell, Buderus, Sinfield, Tickle, Morrison.

Generally hard working and very experienced players. I can't remember too many penalties from O'Loughlin where the opposition has scored immediately after.

Hock, on the other hand, gives away silly penalties, but he had managed to cut them out of his game somewhat in 2009, so there's the possibility that he can do the same again as the season goes on.

Even experienced players like Westwood give away daft penalties though, so Hock isn't too bad as long as he has a big influence when attacking.

I can't believe anybody thinks hock is not Wigan quality. He's awesome and really gets into the ribs of opposition forwards. He'd get in the starting 13 in and club in SL and we're lucky he's playing for us and not against us!

He's been working on that since we signed him 10+ years ago and a few games into his comeback (after being banned for idiotically taking cocaine) he gets banned for 5 games taking him out of our playoff run in. What's the point of an occasionally world class player not playing? He's an idiot and not good enough for Wigan.

Westwood for one.

Quote ="Suzy Banyon"Westwood for one.'" Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

Quote ="Suzy Banyon"Westwood for one.'" Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

Your opinion and your entitled to that although the vast majority would disagree.

My last word on the subject is that I'm made up Gaz Hock is playing at Wigan and IMO playing very well.

Quote ="LovesToSpooge"Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012'" Those figures stack up quite well against someone who is so highly thought of...

Quote ="LovesToSpooge"Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012'" Those figures stack up quite well against someone who is so highly thought of...

Quote ="LovesToSpooge"Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012'" I'm surprised tbh, but stats never show the context. On the whole though, they seem to show Westwood as generally better anyway.

Quote ="LovesToSpooge"Your problem with Hock is his indiscipline, yet Westwood has conceded only 1 penalty less than Gareth, with 1 less game played. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012'" I'm surprised tbh, but stats never show the context. On the whole though, they seem to show Westwood as generally better anyway.

westwoods another penalty machine.....if he wasnt such a workhorse he wouldnt even make the wire side

They never show the right context when they don't suit a persons opinion



Hock is class, brainless but class.