I've no idea what he's done, nor do I really care.

What is obvious is his ability to hit the self destruct button at the worst possible times - seems quite a troubled young man

This.

World at his feet.He must be an idiot.

Greg Eden is as good,if not better,at F/B than he is on the wing.The way Cas play,anyone you put on the wing will score tries,so I don't see Hardaker's self explosion as a killer blow at all.
Jy hitchcox could come in and do just as well on the wing.
What price Greg Eden to score an hatrick from F/B?
CAS SHOULD HAVE TOO MUCH FOR leeds imo.

Confirmed in the news today that there has been a failed drugs test...

What an idiot.
Also, failing a drugs test on Sept 8th but being allowed to play a crucial role in the semi final win 3 weeks later doesn't seem right, not very fair on St Helens.

Terrible 48 hours for Castleford.

I wonder whether it’s PED or recreational? For anybody in the know, can these tests not immediately identify whether a sample includes a certain susbstance?

More importantly in all this, I hope somebody is keeping an eye on him. He’s made a massive mistake but his well-being is the highest priority in all of this.

Needs two separate samples to confirm a test either way IIRC. Standard practice across all sports I think.

I think that's right, but don't athletes normally get a provisional suspension in-between a and b samples? (pretty sure that's the UKAD guidelines)

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41542423

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41542423

Hardacre - "Finally, I would like to make it clear that in no way did I, nor would I, ever take a substance with the intention of enhancing my performance."

I think he answers the question in his own statement really.

Some media types have out and out said it was cocaine. Whilst that wasn't in the statements from the RFL or Castleford, media types wouldn't be reporting that if they weren't sure.

Edithttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41542423rl

I hope Zak gets all the support needed, this lad is very talented but there is some underlying issues, this is a disease, and something that requires professional help, not people calling him this that and the other, is rugby league not a sport where we all stand together, thick and thin, good and bad, come on if your a rugby league supporter, then support Zak Hardaker

Im sure Zak's had THE very best support at Leeds where he had chance after chance. Then he got yet more support from Cas and threw it back in their faces. If there is one thing the lad has had plenty of, it is support and help. He can't play the mental health card IMO he is just thick and simply doesn't learn (or care). His decisions aren't mental health. Its Zak making poor choices in the things he does and the people he hangs around with. Thats not a disease. The sport absolutely must be there for him now to avoid another Terry Newton situation. But the only person who can truly sort himself out is Zak. He's one of the most talented players the English game has got. Yet he'll never play in WC due to been suspended twice and might not play the sport again.

There is a fine line between having mental health issues and just being a d*ckhead. We'll all have our opinions which side Zak falls on. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who claim mental health issues when it's nothing of the sort, because they don't want to take any blame themselves. That means people with genuine mental health problems are delayed in getting the help they need, and are sometimes frowned upon as "making it up" when they NEED help. Those who use it as an excuse are taking help away from people who genuinely need it, and are scum (not to say that is Zak, I don't know him, I couldn't say).

If he needs help, I hope he gets it. But I also think he's been given enough chances by the sport now and needs to be moved on. Unfortunately because he's such a good player, there will always be someone desperate enough to offer him a way back in. Which perhaps isn't what is best for his own well being, maybe he needs to be away from the limelight.

Yeah I tend to agree, particularly in this instance. If a club like Cas, which I've admired for a long time due to its ethos of cohesion, being more than the sum of your parts and sense of family, can't rectify the inherent character flaws of your Rangi Chase and Hardaker, then no one can. If you go to Cas and still end up a tool, perhaps you need to quit the game.