I'll never understand why people read stuff into quotes from coaches.

Even if he thinks it, SW is hardly going to say something like: "Zak's a real problem and we're taking a massive chance."

Exactly, the only thing we can realistically read into it, is that it wasn't a flat denial.

There is no doubt that Hardaker is a top class talent and IMO the best English FB in the game sorry Tomkins fans.
He has been given numerous chances not all known to the public by Leeds and he was bailed out by Powell who clearly thought he was getting a good un even though he knew only too well of his off field antics.
Cas is very much a club who look after their players and have taken on mis fits before and thought they could tame Hardaker too.
But he let them all down as he did Leeds and no doubt he will do it again.
I do not think for one minute Wane has better man to man to skills than the likes of Powell, Sinfield, Peacock, McDermott or Hetherington.
Even if his man to man skills are on a par with the above he will struggle to keep Hardaker on the straight and narrow and eventually it will come back to bite him and the club.
The key for me is the eventually bit in my previous sentence.
In that time Hardaker might have helped you to a GF win and possibly more and as long as he does not influence others you might feel it was money and time well spent.
For me it is probably worth the gamble as long as he keeps himself fit during his ban.
I do hope he can get back to the form he is capable of and stars for England in the future.

It was more an observation than an opinion. Look through the history of sport, top quality international commits an offence and is is far more likely his club wish to retain him, mediocre player does similar and is sacked or moved on. It’s a results based business. I doubt anyone in St Helens will be worrying about what BB has done if he helps them to Trophey’s.

Yes, in an ideal world the players would be squeeky clean and upstanding citizens, one thing many seem to forget is they are human beings and make mistakes in life like the rest of us.

Hardaker has enough quality that a large number of clubs will be after his signature once available, bottom line is he would improve our side.

Your points noted and understood Trainman.
I totally agree that we are human and we all make mistakes the problem with ZH is that he just keeps on repeating and for me it obvious he cares about himself and nobody else. I like to think I have a generous spirit but guys like that I wouldn't give a shiny shoite until he demonstrates that he wants to and can actually change.

I am with you on the "glass door affair" . If proven I would have binned him through process within 2 weeks of the incident and other the 3 guys involved would have got unpaid suspensions which by the way may have occurred.

I think I know about the "other incident" you refer that season and the 4 guys concerned were just lucky. Thick but lucky. Legally I think the club couldn't do much but for me I would have marked their cards and would have worked on getting them out of the club as soon as unless they agreed to regular "reviews" and even then I would probably still be thinking of getting rid. Yes all top players but for me it wouldn't have mattered because the board have to set the bar and in those 2 instances they didn't appear to do that.

Just seen Zak in a gym wearing a Wigan vest. One of them new ones with the 4 stars above the crest. Looks in good nick

Well, after reading this thread I will sleep very well tonight knowing we have so many saintly supporters whose farts smell like roses. You are all truly a credit to the town and club. Never put a foot wrong in your entire lives, well done!

Hardaker is literally Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Corbyn rolled into one! I mean he sniffs waff and called someone a faggot once, I’d throw away the key personally.

Exactly. Perfectly put



Some of the long winded posts here aimed simply at chastising him for his previous wrongdoings are laughable. None of us are fit or qualified to be judge, jury or executioner in his, or anyone else's case. I don't ever seem to remember reading any of this tosh regards John Bateman and that whole sorry saga.

Bottom line, he himself wants a fresh start and is more positive than ever to change, he has friends at the club and also in the Wigan area all of whom want him to be here and are supportive. He will improve the playing roster and is not commanding a large chunk of the salary cap. He is committed to charitable work and helping others and bottom line, the club has protected itself with numerous clauses within the contract*

*allegedly

You must be up at UCLAN then...where he most certainly is in the gym, doing a fitness test, but your mistaken, he's wearing a MusclePharm t-shirt

Who has said that?
Where is that posted?

Richie where as anyone posted that he Hitler or the devil incarnate??

Do you want single line replies or some reasoned explanations for peoples views?? If I take the time and effort to write something more than a few lines and try and explain logically how I feel with hopefully some balance to the posts why is that laughable??

What is "laughable" is that people cannot accept that other people have different views and then come and take the urine when differs from their own.

I have stated that when he demonstrates he wants to change then as a starter for 10 that is a good start. If he is committed to charity work and keeps to it then great but its only a start. Why hasn't he stated that already?

I wasn't actually meaning you Itchy...we have already addressed our differences



I don't think much will be said or addressed until everything else is resolved, but I am sure all the reservations people have will soon be put to bed.

Did you have a feel or a you still banned from doing so?

A lot on here probably havent broken the law to be honest. Theres a difference in doing something wrong and breaking the law numerous times and thinking its ok

FB isn't a problem position for us. If we have any money it should be spent at Prop.

What's Jeremy Corbyn done to deserve this? Is Hardaker his fault too?



I'm with itchy on this. People are banging on how he'll play for England; he wouldn't get a place in any NRL side. He let Leeds down, he let Cas down... I'm no Columbo, but I think I see a pattern.

If he’s on a low salary and we have clauses in place it seems like we have protected ourselves if things go tits up. Do you know what ban he is expecting? 2 years like what seems to be the consensus?Another worry would be we have a player who just isn’t the same after such a big ban and we have him on the books for such a long contract. People on here will be preying he messes up again then.

Wane has stated already there will be no prop signings to replace FPN as he’s happy with his middles.

Easily pleased on last nights showing!

He will be accepting a two year ban, available to play in play-offs (should we make them) 2019.

No one has said it you dim old fart, but you get my point. You would think that Hardaker is a baby rapist looking at the faux outrage on here.

Lets see

Good player in a position we are well covered in v drugs ban could be 2 years will he be the same player, had issues at every club, had bans/issues every season he has played and ended up missing major games for each club letting down team/coaches/fans

is a player like that worth paying big money for on a long contract? Personally I would rather use the money/cap space on a player who doesn't have such a poor record, in areas of the team where we really do need to strengthen.

I do not think he is worth the risk - surely there are other options

What law breaking are you refering to? If it’s the cocaine he’s hardly Scarface is he? And I’d be willing to bet that a lot of posters on here have had the old sherbert up their nose at some point so have in fact, broken the law.

I have no problem with signing him.
I am bemused though that they would sign him knowing it could be 2020 before we seem him in a Wigan shirt.
Does anyone know when the ban details will be released?

the assault charge that he got convicted off and no he isnt scarface but possession of a class A drug is. Again thats their issue and if they are happy with that more fool them.