Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:26 am  

Be interesting to know how many of you actually know Zak personally, how many of you can actually say "he's an idiot, he's a tool, he's trouble etc" and actually say this because you have met him personally and he lived up to that mantle. I doubt many of you can say "I asked Zak for an autograph or my kid asked him for a photo and he acted like a complete *bleep*? There are a lot of mitigating circumstances for the behavior that alot of you keep bringing up that left Zak in mental limbo, though not an excuse, unless you know him personally you would not be able to understand.

Is he a model professional like Lockers, Farrell etc? No. Is he a young man balancing being a professional sportsman within a generation that knows no limits? Yes. Has he got himself into stupid, alcohol fueled situations that reflect badly on him? Yes. Is it time for everyone, especially those that do not know him to stop being so judgmental? Yes. Does he deserve a chance either with us or another club to play rugby league? YES!

There is an awful lot wrong with his behavior in the past, I do not for one moment condone any of it, but, I do feel like each of the cases he was dealt a punishment so the matter is closed. To keep bringing these incidents up to judge him presently is unfair. There comes a tipping point and we are at it, let the lad move forward, let him take HIS life forward without the consistently being branded for two/three flash points in his past. As fans of the sports, we should all want a player like Zak Hardacre playing rugby league.

Yes I know Zak personally and yes I want to see him happy, settled, enjoying life and playing rugby. If that is at Wigan then I will be even happier for him. I know the club and they will support him in all aspects of life, not just sporting. In my opinion, Wigan is the best place for him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:55 am  

RichieS wrote:

Be interesting to know how many of you actually know Zak personally, how many of you can actually say "he's an idiot, he's a tool, he's trouble etc" and actually say this because you have met him personally and he lived up to that mantle. I doubt many of you can say "I asked Zak for an autograph or my kid asked him for a photo and he acted like a complete *bleep*? There are a lot of mitigating circumstances for the behavior that alot of you keep bringing up that left Zak in mental limbo, though not an excuse, unless you know him personally you would not be able to understand.

Is he a model professional like Lockers, Farrell etc? No. Is he a young man balancing being a professional sportsman within a generation that knows no limits? Yes. Has he got himself into stupid, alcohol fueled situations that reflect badly on him? Yes. Is it time for everyone, especially those that do not know him to stop being so judgmental? Yes. Does he deserve a chance either with us or another club to play rugby league? YES!

There is an awful lot wrong with his behavior in the past, I do not for one moment condone any of it, but, I do feel like each of the cases he was dealt a punishment so the matter is closed. To keep bringing these incidents up to judge him presently is unfair. There comes a tipping point and we are at it, let the lad move forward, let him take HIS life forward without the consistently being branded for two/three flash points in his past. As fans of the sports, we should all want a player like Zak Hardacre playing rugby league.

Yes I know Zak personally and yes I want to see him happy, settled, enjoying life and playing rugby. If that is at Wigan then I will be even happier for him. I know the club and they will support him in all aspects of life, not just sporting. In my opinion, Wigan is the best place for him.

Well said

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:58 am  

RichieS wrote:

Be interesting to know how many of you actually know Zak personally, how many of you can actually say "he's an idiot, he's a tool, he's trouble etc" and actually say this because you have met him personally and he lived up to that mantle. I doubt many of you can say "I asked Zak for an autograph or my kid asked him for a photo and he acted like a complete *bleep*? There are a lot of mitigating circumstances for the behavior that alot of you keep bringing up that left Zak in mental limbo, though not an excuse, unless you know him personally you would not be able to understand.

Is he a model professional like Lockers, Farrell etc? No. Is he a young man balancing being a professional sportsman within a generation that knows no limits? Yes. Has he got himself into stupid, alcohol fueled situations that reflect badly on him? Yes. Is it time for everyone, especially those that do not know him to stop being so judgmental? Yes. Does he deserve a chance either with us or another club to play rugby league? YES!

There is an awful lot wrong with his behavior in the past, I do not for one moment condone any of it, but, I do feel like each of the cases he was dealt a punishment so the matter is closed. To keep bringing these incidents up to judge him presently is unfair. There comes a tipping point and we are at it, let the lad move forward, let him take HIS life forward without the consistently being branded for two/three flash points in his past. As fans of the sports, we should all want a player like Zak Hardacre playing rugby league.

Yes I know Zak personally and yes I want to see him happy, settled, enjoying life and playing rugby. If that is at Wigan then I will be even happier for him. I know the club and they will support him in all aspects of life, not just sporting. In my opinion, Wigan is the best place for him.

A couple of times it's been suggested that the best thing he can do is get out of Yorkshire, i.e. away from the bad influences that have surrounded him for most of his adult life.

Do you think that a change of scene will work for him? You know him, so do you think it's possible that we can see a completely different person in Wigan colours?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:58 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

It certainly will be.

A number of Cas fans are saying he’s shafted them because he was released from his deal with them on the basis that he would sign a new contract on a lower wage to cover the length if his ban before it was increased when he’s back. They seem to think in between coming off his existing deal and signing a new one, he’s been tapped up by Rads and has then signed a better one with us.

The lads a good player but he’s not good enough to go to that sort of trouble for. It all just seems a bit strange.

Those Cas fans are likely talking tripe unless their club is completely incompetent. If that was the intention of the club and Zac they would have simply renegotiated the terms of the contract not released then like.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:53 am  

Cruncher wrote:

A couple of times it's been suggested that the best thing he can do is get out of Yorkshire, i.e. away from the bad influences that have surrounded him for most of his adult life.

Do you think that a change of scene will work for him? You know him, so do you think it's possible that we can see a completely different person in Wigan colours?

As someone stated, its only 60/70 miles away, so said negative influences would still be a factor. albeit a little less accessible. It is in the club I believe, I feel they have the correct personnel and support network to support and guide Zak. The move will help, although not affiliated with WW anymore, I feel Josh C will also be a hugely positive influence.

The thing most people don't know, because it isn't public knowledge or written in the press is that Zak actively wants to make a change. He wanted to stay in Australia, a move back to the UK, let alone Yorkshire wasn't his Plan A so to speak. I will probably get lynched here, but the culture at Cas wasn't exactly the perfect fit. What I am trying to say is that DP openly expects high-end rugby performances, that is all.

As far as I am aware, no one involved in the matter is one bit miffed or annoyed at how things are moving forward, Zak has and is being fully supported by all involved. What is not being reported or said is that the most important matter to all involved with rugby league as a sport is Zaks mental well being.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:20 pm  

RichieS wrote:

As someone stated, its only 60/70 miles away, so said negative influences would still be a factor. albeit a little less accessible. It is in the club I believe, I feel they have the correct personnel and support network to support and guide Zak. The move will help, although not affiliated with WW anymore, I feel Josh C will also be a hugely positive influence.

The thing most people don't know, because it isn't public knowledge or written in the press is that Zak actively wants to make a change. He wanted to stay in Australia, a move back to the UK, let alone Yorkshire wasn't his Plan A so to speak. I will probably get lynched here, but the culture at Cas wasn't exactly the perfect fit. What I am trying to say is that DP openly expects high-end rugby performances, that is all.

As far as I am aware, no one involved in the matter is one bit miffed or annoyed at how things are moving forward, Zak has and is being fully supported by all involved. What is not being reported or said is that the most important matter to all involved with rugby league as a sport is Zaks mental well being.

Fair enough. Thanks for that.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 3:41 pm  

RichieS wrote:

As someone stated, its only 60/70 miles away, so said negative influences would still be a factor. albeit a little less accessible. It is in the club I believe, I feel they have the correct personnel and support network to support and guide Zak. The move will help, although not affiliated with WW anymore, I feel Josh C will also be a hugely positive influence.

The thing most people don't know, because it isn't public knowledge or written in the press is that Zak actively wants to make a change. He wanted to stay in Australia, a move back to the UK, let alone Yorkshire wasn't his Plan A so to speak. I will probably get lynched here, but the culture at Cas wasn't exactly the perfect fit. What I am trying to say is that DP openly expects high-end rugby performances, that is all.

As far as I am aware, no one involved in the matter is one bit miffed or annoyed at how things are moving forward, Zak has and is being fully supported by all involved. What is not being reported or said is that the most important matter to all involved with rugby league as a sport is Zaks mental well being.

Richie I stated that it is only 60 west of Yorkshire but in reality it doesn't matter how far because if someone wants to carry on breaking the law they will carry on breaking the law irrespective where they are or with whom they associate.

How many chances do you give someone? As I have stated elsewhere I am all for giving people a second chance but repeat offenders rarely change their ways although I am sure that there are always examples that can be quoted. Hardaker I would suggest thinks about himself first, second and third because historically he has shown very little respect for his team mates, club or opponents. If he was a young kid of 18 or 19 and it was a first offence I would actually hope that the club would help and assist the lad however, he is a grown man with several offences against his name with nothing to suggest that he can or even wants to change his ways.

I have genuine sympathy for people with problems however sometimes irrespective of how much support people may be offered they just don't take up on the support and never move on.

Personally I would ban Hardaker and anyone else for that matter for taking Class a drugs or performance enhancing drugs for life or as a minimum at least 5 years which effectively is for life. I don't know Hardaker, I have never met him nor spoken to him so it isn't personal its just the fact that I am strongly in favour of banning players for drug abuse and that is before we even talk about his general behaviour. This isn't a character assassination because he is pretty good at that himself.

From your comments it sounds like he is coming to the club which for me is very disappointing and sends out the wrong message to other players at the club and within the game. Hey I hope the guy has some sort of epiphany and becomes a changed character but unfortunately his tracked record would suggest otherwise.
If this was Joe Bloggs a 19 year old lad from Norley Hall who had a lot of promise but had dabbled in drugs and had the odd fight in King Street every Saturday night I don't think that the club would give the time of day. Why should the club treat Hardaker any differently??

By the way what would a player have to do for you to say that it would be unacceptable for the club to sign him? Im not having a pop Richie I am just genuinely interested because our views are so different on this matter. If we are to sign him I cant wait to hear what rationale IL puts behind because to me there doesn't appear to be any rationale other than maybe we've got him on the cheap which if im honest is a little dispiriting.

Its only early in the season but for the first time in a long while there is a little buzz back at the club that this move for me just takes the shine off that.

Perhaps I will be in the minority and maybe Im just an owd fart who thought that as a club we had stronger principles than this.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:36 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

Richie I stated that it is only 60 west of Yorkshire but in reality it doesn't matter how far because if someone wants to carry on breaking the law they will carry on breaking the law irrespective where they are or with whom they associate.

Itchy, he hasn't broken the law on such a level he deserves to be classed a criminal, he stupidly intoxicated himself with a narcotic. Whilst I accept this is unacceptable given his profession please stop making out like he is a career criminal that breaks the law at any opportunity!

As I said, unless you know him, you would unaware whether he wants to change and believe me, he does.

I would say there are plenty of crimes that a player could commit that would be career ending, most of which command jail time...I don't think I need to list them to back up my points.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:25 pm  

RichieS wrote:

Itchy, he hasn't broken the law on such a level he deserves to be classed a criminal, he stupidly intoxicated himself with a narcotic. Whilst I accept this is unacceptable given his profession please stop making out like he is a career criminal that breaks the law at any opportunity!

As I said, unless you know him, you would unaware whether he wants to change and believe me, he does.

I would say there are plenty of crimes that a player could commit that would be career ending, most of which command jail time...I don't think I need to list them to back up my points.

Thanks for replying Richie

I don't for one moment think that doesn't want to change however, why would this time be different? The only person who doesn't really know if he can change is himself. I'd be amazed if he hasn't thought that he could change before so how does he know that he can change this time?
What is he going to do voluntarily to try and change? Will he join say a charity(s) that helps youngsters with drug or anger issues? Is he planning to work with local schools in helping kids understand the problems and issues of drugs and anger issues? What is he going do other than say he will change because words are much easier than actions?

Ive probably come over as a moralising and patronising old git but we need standards and if people persist in ignoring standards then they need to be aware and feel the consequences of their actions. You are obviously a good friend to him and I can understand why you want to support him however, he has painted his own canvass so he shouldn't be surprised that people like myself are a little cynical in what is really driving this move which is good old money. He obviously sounds like a guy who needs lots of support I just hope that he doesn't let friends down again like yourself because Im sure that is what he has done previously.

Jesus loves a sinner who repents. As a starter I think Hardaker needs to start show that he does regret his actions rather than issue some statement written by his brief which is the norm in these circumstances.

Taking a Class A drug is illegal it doesn't matter what profession he is in it is illegal which for reason people seem to forget.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:05 pm  

Have we got a goal kicking centre in the squad?

Jack Higginson scored 3 tries, set 2 more up and kicked 7/8 goals for the reserves last night, no idea on the level of competition.

Also a nice 70m try from Gabe Hamlin