Growth hormone more like , it can't be tested for where steroids can.

Bad news for Wigoon and England. Hock is the one blockbusting British player Wigoon have got and with decent coaching he could improve and get himself into position for making our bench. Replacing him is a big task and they'll have to splash the cash to get somebody on board for next year equally as effective. Hopefully this will mean Phil Bailey gets another year or two from them

So if Kyle Eastmond is 6'2" next year we'll know something's amiss

It certainly can! The HGH stimulators can even be tested for now! There are currently two blood tests available to the authorities.
Trouble with HGH is it occurs naturally in the body,its possibly harder to test for but can be tested.

Like TDF cyclists?

Hock is an idiot, but he may regard himself as unlucky as there is an undercurrent of 'recreational' drug taking in RL.

Id like to think that rugby league wasnt as corrupt as cycling.

However, I used to work with a guy who mixed in the same circles as the players from a golden era and the stories he told me of wild holidays in lanzarote, high on drugs. After seeing the photos of said holidays, its plain to see judging by their eyes, they were high on something. He also told me the tricks they used to use to avoid being caught when tested.

I've got to say that the muscle mass gained by some of these youngsters - often within a single close season - is pretty eye-popping. I mean, there are guys I know from the gym who hammered the weights for three or four years to achieve similar results. On the flipside, it's true to say that it's not all about pumping iron. Eating the correct foods in the correct proportions and generally looking after yourself will help enormously. The guys I know think nothing of a quick fag after training and then down to the boozer for six pints.

I think more serious questions are raised by the close season 'achievements' of certain players during the 80s and 90s. Regardless of club, we all know player X who finished a season looking like a wraith, only to start the next with the body and strength of Hercules. I don't care what those guys were eating - there's NO WAY you can bulk up to such an extent in three months. No way.

Quality

was talking to a mate last night about the hock situation and he seemed to think / heard on the grape vine, that the RL have a list of players who they are trying to catch. 2 players he mentioned on the list are pretty well known for being recreational drug users around my neck of the woods. maybe hock has been a example of in order to rattle these other players "on the list"

Unless you can prove this do not post it. tm - tl

Its just that Hock was unfortunate to be the unlucky one to get caught.

Diet and supplementation, together with large rest persiods due to no full time job and a strength conditioning coach ensure that this is the case. The players can bulk during the off-season, and then burn off the excess fat they have gained with high intensity training before the season starts. I doubt that the club would risk putting a player on a drug cycle, it wouldn't be worth the risk.

The odd player may dabble, but they usually get found out in the end.

wouldnt say he was unlucky. if he got tested after a game on a friday then he must have on it wednesday or thursday night. theres nothing unlucky about that!!

Just really dumb. If you're going to do it, do it after a match, not in the 2/3 days before. Not condoning it but if you decide to break the law at least try to make sure you dont get caught