I've not seen the judgement, but these things often only get released after the deadline for an appeal has passed.

As you say, the reasons for mitigation are somewhat bizarre and as I said earlier some recent judgements have opened up several cans of worms for future cases.

Two wigan directors in there capacity in the England set up have represented Zak with evidence to reduce the ban, job done the signing of the player should now be sooner than later.

I believe Chris Brookes non exec director of Wigoon and Mark Bitcon director of performance of Wigoon have swinged it in Zaks favour.

So, in a sport with a robust salary cap - Castleford should have just paid ZH his usual three grand a week even though the ban could have been anything up to 4 years and not even known how long the verdict was going to take to be processed? If we (Cas Tigers) had any idea how long the ban would be and how long it would take to come to a conclusion we would have been able to make a more accurate decision. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I can't see him going to Warrington, it's too far from the "bright lights" of Pontefract - I know, but he loves it there apparently!

Three clubs that insist on their players moving near to their set-up are Saints, Wigan and Warrington.

If I were a betting man I would say clubs that could potentially look to sign ZH are Toronto, Cas, Hull KR, Hull FC and Wigan.

Do you really see that as an option?

I'm sure many Cas fans would welcome him back, but there must be quite a few with the same opinion as me, he basically ruined the clubs best chance of reaching the pinnacle of the game, & for that I could never forgive.

I’d never want him back.
Not only for what he has already done, but what he will inevitably do in future.
His defence for this case was basically that he can’t control his decision-making. It’s like playing Russian Roulette. At some point, the worst will happen again.

Haven't Cas already said they offered him a new (reduced) contact that he rejected?

I'll stick my neck out and say it's already a done deal that he's signed for Wigan. I even tried to have a bet on it but couldn't find a bookmaker who'd give odds.

Unfortunately for your theory, this ban was presided over by UKAD and not the RFL so the "how craply run RL is" line doesn't really work.

Then why are 2 Wigan Directors giving evidence in the UKAD process to support the Hardaker Legal Team to reduce the ban. Surely the RFL will be aware whether directly or indirectly of the Wigan involvement and there intentions.

Quote Angelus="Angelus"For anyone who wants to have a read of the judgements before jumping to conclusions they can be found here https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rul ... tegory=541. although the Zak Hardaker one keeps coming up access denied. i assume it hasnt been uploaded properly yet or something (or Wigan dont want to release it )'" “He was not a cocaine user...” but was a regular cocaine user. Do these suits think the general public are thick or something?

Quote Angelus="Angelus"For anyone who wants to have a read of the judgements before jumping to conclusions they can be found here https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rul ... tegory=541. although the Zak Hardaker one keeps coming up access denied. i assume it hasnt been uploaded properly yet or something (or Wigan dont want to release it )'" “He was not a cocaine user...” but was a regular cocaine user. Do these suits think the general public are thick or something?