Very detailed interview & well worth taking a couple of hours out of your day to watch it.
Also a really interesting insight into the Grand Final, 'that' penalty miss, and post-match chat back in the changing room.
We all know about his past indiscretions, but he adds much deeper thoughts here. He isn't shy in baring all & although he does fumble the odd word or two, it's a very lucid look into his world pre-Wigan.
As an earlier poster likewise said, Zak was always one of those rival players that I wanted to see in the Cherry & White, and very interesting comments at the end of the interview, about giving the past him advice if he could go back.
Zak hesitates a bit there, because he basically thinks that if events hadn't unfolded in the way that they did, then he likely wouldn't be at Wigan now.
Good to hear.
Not sure about the Leeds Utd top though!!

Thanks for the link
Will listen to it tonight on my daily walk

I frequent the site several times a day and have done for years and I can’t immediately recall any nasty comments against Hardaker or any other player for that matter.

My eldest son has already listened to it and he says that it is really interesting.

I was one that didn't want him here but it has been a pleasure to watch him maturing at Wigan and with a new born will hopefully give him even more focus. He is one of the senior players now and hopefully can pass the consequences of some of his past mistakes down to some of the younger lads. I think he will do a few more years here and then i reckon he will finish his career back at Leeds as a fully rounded centre. About the Leeds Utd top, he will still be Leeds through and through. His number plate is still Leeds Rhinos, that's his club, his city. As long as he continues to apply himself here for Wigan i don't care if he still loves Leeds or not. Hope he goes on to have a stellar career here without the mishaps and enter the 'club legend' category.

I can tell you now he will never play for Leeds again ( just too much baggage ) , i am pleased he has seemingly found a way to behave as he is a great player and was brilliant for us , i wish him well but worry that he is stii only a few drinks away from oblivion .

So are most people.

The difference now is that he seems to have people around him who give him another option than drinking away his problems.

A great podcast
Hardaker speaks very openly in depth and at length
Good to hear him say he wants to become the best centre in the competition and will look to improve his kicking

I wish the lad well and hope he continues on the straight and narrow

Possibly so , the enviroment at Leeds was good for him , but too close to his mates at Ponte/Knottingley which was even more the case at Cas . The lad has knuckled down and done well for you and full credit to him and Wigan for that . I do not think he is a natural centre but he has worked hard at it and is getting better and better in that position

Is it just YouTube or is it available as a podcast on the Apple podcast app?

I'm going to give this a listen, but in case anyone hasn't already, have a listen to the "Behind the Athlete" podcast.

It's hosted by Jackson Hastings, with a reporter friend of his.

Jackson is the first "interviewee", and Zak is the second.

It's absolutely brilliant.

Nice one PE!


Some very worthwhile listening in the 3 I've heard so far (JH / Zak / Lockdown).
A hidden gem, right there.
Trust all is well with you & yours.

One of the best podcasts i have listened to that. The shaun long one is also very good.