Re: Hardaker dismissed by Cas : Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:47 am
For me there’s three sides to this argument;He did drugs and has a history
As have many other current and former SL players, they just weren’t or haven’t been caught, I know because I’ve seen it (admittedly it was a while ago). I’m not condoning it in anyway, he should have known better than to put the old white stuff up his nasal passage being the MOS contender he was and arguably the best player in the league at the time with an almost guaranteed spot in the England World Cup team.
Cocaine usage at the minute, is a major issue in society, it is everywhere. Every pub/club/restaurant you go to there will be someone in there under the influence of it or in possession of it. Again it doesn’t condone it but that’s the bigger picture and it’s all well and good saying “he should know better” which he probably should, but have you ever done something knowing you definately shouldn’t and if caught you’re in a world of the smelly stuff?
He has made mistakes, absolutely no question of it. He must know that this truly is last chance saloon, anymore indiscretions no matter the size will be the end of Zak Hardaker.
Where does he play?
Tricky one this. His best form is by far at FB but we already have a talented player in Escare at FB and Zak is far too good to play second fiddle to anyone. Therefore I can only see him being a centre which creates a conundrum with Gildart and Sarginson operating there. It either means Gildart is going or is expected to go to the NRL or SW doesn’t see Sarginson as a long term fix. I’d be inclined to suggest the former rather than the latter.
What message does it send out?
Interesting one for me and this is where we have to be extremely careful. ZH isn’t the first player we have given a chance to after a cocaine episode and the first one with Hock blew right up in our faces. Then there was the Bateman incident which you could say was dealt with efficiently and hasn’t backfired on us. There’s bound to be others that I haven’t mentioned or that we don’t know about that are dealt with internally.
I wonder what all these chances we give to players who take drugs or act the idiot and the message it sends out to the younger players is; It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, if you’re good enough we’ll stand by you? It’s a reasonable point to make, would this chance be given to a players such as Willie Isa, Ryan Sutton? Questionable.
Personally, I think the signing of ZH would be a fantastic acquisition for the club. He is/was a world class player with an unquestionable level of talent. However, his playing contract must be in favour of the club, he cannot sign for us then go out and clock someone on King St and still be a player at the club.
It’s not without its risks and clear controversies but is the signing of ZH worth it? Definitely.
