Oh come on. People are completely over-reacting……

They say ‘you can take the lad out of Yorkshire…’

He should have been sacked by Leeds when he was here last time. The club in retrospect were overly tolerant and/or gave him too much support. Almost anyone else in the organisation other than a star player would have been long gone for the list of indiscretions Hardaker had.

But these are desperate times and officially he left the club amicably so we can justify the signing to ourselves that way.

By the way it's been a while since he did one of these but let's add Hardaker to the list of things Hetherington has sold for a load of money and got back free later on.

Agree.

Yeah absolutely. His brilliant talent was the only reason we were so supportive. A lesser player probably go’s after that first assault strike! Didn’t Minchella get moved on because he was ‘there’….

Feel pretty queasy at the prospect. He was (unofficially) jettisoned for persistent gross misconduct type behaviour at Leeds. He was sacked at Cas for the same. Wigan have now followed suite. This overindulged Leopard is not going to change his spots. At some point over the coming months these negative traits will manifest themselves again in a dressing room full of impressionable young players. How long before a Gannon or a Newman thinks "well if Zac can get away with it"?. I only hope that Rohan Smith has signed off on this decision. Would be spectacularly stupid to undermine the new head coach before he even arrives in the country.

Rohan Smith will be delighted we’ve signed a player of Zak’s quality….

Hogwash! He is bound to be apprehensive. He's coming in to shape a broken culture and his new club are bringing in Super Leagues bad behaviour poster boy. It would be strange indeed if he wasn't worried. Congrats on your appointment as his official spokesman though.

Not really even close is it, Zac has had 4 separate incidents that we know of, including violence, homophobic abuse and drug taking, which has meant he him released/sold by 3 different clubs, Tomkins had one incident where he was being a bit of a d**k in an incident that was mainly his brother?

Agree with that.
Signing him because we are short of numbers now is a bad move imo. Yes he would definitely improve us on the field, but we need to look at the bigger picture and he is not the type of person we want at our club.

I met Zak in the corporate at Wigan a few weeks ago, seemed like a nice guy. At that time he was staying over in Wigan in a flat mid-week for training/games, and then being home at other times. Sounded like it was quite tough at the time, and anyone with young kids knows what a tricky balance work and family can be.

It sounds like his issues have been much more to do with that than his previous drink/drug issues. Let's be honest, even when fully fit, our starting LC option is still Sutcliffe. This is a gamble worth taking IMO, and if it's only until the end of the season, it's unlikely going to be too negative in terms of his influence.

Here here. He is a nice lad as I’ve met him too. People also forget that he will actually be a positive on field role model to our young lads….

We've no idea what Smith thinks but it would be staggering if all ins and outs weren't explicitly signed off by him.

I'm not at all convinced he brings anything Leeds need. He's not played well since he left Cas and the impact on the club's culture and professionalism overrides any positives he does come up with on the field. Moving him back to Yorkshire and the temptations he's clearly never been able to overcome is just a recipe for disaster. How long before he's angling for a move to Featherstone?

It's not like Leeds are going to be relegated, so why bring a player and a character like that in?

He isnt moving back to Yorkshire, he is already here!
Massive over reaction going on here to something that hasnt even happened yet.
Some seem to think hes being offered 3 year deal. Wait for any announcement before going in to panic mode.
Clearly not the player he was when he left us but still can do a job in multiple positions. The position we are in right now I dont think we can be too choosey and neither can he

He definitely brings something we need.

Our 2 first choice fullbacks are injured as our two first choice centres.

Wether it’s worth it is another matter and only time will tell.

So my source has come through again. I’m sorry but there has been some over reactions here. How many times have we signed and stuck by people with rap sheets? Yes Zak has had a few granted but I don’t think this time at Wigan was the same. His family life changed and he wanted a move to a Yorkshire club and he had suitors but Wigan said no. So basically he has thrown his toys out of the pram a little and their hand has been forced. If you weren’t happy and circumstances had changed would you take the necessary steps? Maybe not in the same way but I know I would do my best. I’m sure there is some kind of clause in the contract to say if he messes up then he’s gone. Let’s just give him a chance, he’s been given the rope it’s up to him not to hang himself. He’s a talent and he’s a damn sight better than our options and miles ahead of Sutcliffe.

Mate you are talking complete sense and we very much appreciate the inside info through your posts. I had a real issue with us signing the two lads who had assaulted women as it disgusted me, but I have far more sympathy for Zak. And let’s be honest , who would want to do a 4 hour round trip to Wigan for debrief after an easy win!

I agree. Wigan should have let him leave when he first asked them.

Well said and fully agree

Anything more from your source on the other player movement?

The problem witth that is that hes had so much rope there is now a world rope shortage. You cant keep telling someone "behave or you are out" and then give them another chance. We gave him countless chances and all he did was throw them back in our faces. He dragged the clubs name thru the mud, he abused Leeds fans on social media, almost misssd coaches to matches, turned up drunk to training constantly, played a WCC under drug influence, beat up students and thats just at Leeds. Hes done that at every club and England too. Watch As Good As It Gets again and realise this lad is trouble.

By all means give him rope but the lad is too stupid to hang himself.

Hes never going to change and all this "super talent" i keep seeing ive not seen it for 4 years really if im honest. Hes Wigans 3rd choice full back now in truth. Hes not the player that left Leeds or Cas.

Hes had his chances at Leeds he disgraced himself. I wouldnt want him back at all.

Agreed...sign him up for rest of season only though.

Performance / behaviour determines any extension

Rest of the season with club holding option for next season.