Wigan Warriors - wiganrugbyfans.com • Rumours and signings v9
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.
Statistics: Posted by Itchy Arsenal — Thu Feb 22, 2018 3:41 pm — Replies 9176 — Views 2110856