Rohan Smith will have had virtually no input into this except probably getting some assurances from GH that Zak would be fine. What input could he have other than what's on here - on paper he'll improve the team but he sounds like a tool.

Rohan Smith was alerted when the loan possibility came up and then he authorised the move. He’s also had a conversation with Hardaker as well as his agent.

I'd love to think it could increase the crowd by 5K, but I don't think it will. We've just pulled in 11k for Toulouse, who will have brought little or no support. KR are playing well and they do have good away support so given that it's not on TV I'd maybe expect 13k. I just cannot see Zac's presence bumping it up to 18K. I'd be amazed and delighted if we managed 15. Don't get me wrong, his presence will definitely strengthen what is at present a very weak line up.

The last home game is saw vs KR had 24k!
That was 2009. First game of season. Jake Webster looked good for them . We win it by a late try from Smithy from a kick by Maggsy I believe…..

Hardaker signing won't increase the crowd by 1%. He is half the player he was for Leeds previously and Cas. No-one will go to the game just because of him signing.

This never happened.

Our home league fixture against them drew in 16,192. We also played them at home in the play offs - the fixture where Chev Walkers shin stuck out though his sock - was attended by 11,220

Was that 24k listening in on the radio?

Been a long long time since we had 24k crowd at Headingley, back in the hay day of the Bulls i beleive..

The Magic Rat - as ever - has it spot on. Leeds could regret what they have done.

By the way - the elasticity in Leeds Salary Cap is quite remarkable isn`t it?

Which is why I wonder if this is really short term only. Sign this year for a pittance, keep your nose clean and we'll sort a better deal for next season.

Not really, we have so many injuries, if some of them are season enders we can remove them from the cap, and if rumours ate true we are releasing some players.
Plus I doubt we are full cap, GH always likes to hold some back for this type of scenario

Genuine question - can you (and if so is this just for final year players you aren't retaining?)

I wouldn't be surprised to see Zak here next year. I hope I'm wrong, not because he's a bad player, but I'd hope we had our targets for next season

Don't think we can. Pretty sure a player has to suffer a season ending injury before competive matches start, so effectively in pre-season. As it stands I don't think we have a single player who has been ruled out for that long. All should theoretically be due back by round 20 or so.

You live on Fantasy Island

Shabs having a mare with this one

As much of a big daft lad (in the politest possible way) I can’t help but root a bit for the underdog story here as well. If he does finally sort himself out it’ll be good for all involved.

Also can’t help but think there’s a bit of poetic justice in this when he jumped ship during our first brush with relegation, it’s another wrong he has a chance to write.

And yes I know it more than likely won’t go that way and he might be more likely to mess up again…but there’s a chance he doesn’t and personally I’ve always liked stories like that.

I just hope he doesn't drag any of our youngsters down his path.

Nothing like facts to ruin a good story!

!?
Well my mate and I are going for this reason. It’s theatre if nothing else…
He is on here but doesn’t comment. Come on back me up
dude?!

Some of the Wigan conspiracy theorists on Twitter are hilarious to the point that GH paid for Zak and his Mum to get pished to facilitate a move! These people probably get their medical advice from a hairdresser called Kirsty too. Absolutely barking!

Zak says ‘I’m available Friday if I get picked..’
Has he even watched us this season…! Not sure he knows what he faces…..

We have been on tv every week he must have seen us in one of the pubs surely?

Too drunk to see the screen?