He's probably right.

I take it that it's Hocks circle of friends that have led him down this path rather than team mates, and for all the boozing culture in Aus, there aren't many stories of drug taking (bar Johns). Taking him away from that group of people may well help him avoid being dragged into it again.

Of course, there are a number of factors that would mean Hock doesn't view that as an option as noted above, but that doesn't mean Millward is wrong in what he says.

Drug taking is rife in the NRL far worse than over from what i have been told.

Millward

Bless.

I can see where he's coming from, Hock won't be seeing all the same people that he used to take drugs with. However I'd still rather he come back to Wigan after his ban from a fan's point of view, the club just needs to test him a lot for a while.

I completely disagree. Had Wigan made Hock's position with the club clear Millward would have no reason to comment.

If Hocks future with the club was already on record then if that future was he would get a new deal once his ban was complete Millward would be basically saying in public IL was wrong. That would be an extraordinary thing for a coach of another club to do and I don't think even Millward is stupid enough to do that.

Had all ties been cut as Millward suggests he equally would have no reason to comment as there would be no story there for him to milk.

I think all this is obvious when you think about it and it all stems from Wigan's lack of statement on the issue.

Millward would have no story were Hocks future already decided and the fact he has commented is directly as a result of Hock's future position not having been made public.

Dave

Maybe the club have not yet decided/ agreed what to do with Hock. Maybe they have been waiting for the new coach to come in? Cant announce anything if there is nothing to announce.

Don't you think our little Millward might have a few things to say about Wigan in the months and years ahead?
If there's a hole in our bucket anywhere Millward will be trying to find it.
Probably through blind faith I trust the people at Wigan to handle Gaz Hock and his situation with the delicate nature it needs. The club will be trying to help him as far as they can and are able to, I'm sure.
I hope Hock is successful in turning it all around, the last thing he needs is Millward mouthing off and giving him the dubious benefit of his opinion.

Wrong. He bears the club no ill will whatsoever.

This is the impression I was given too. Saints on the other hand....

Plenty of announcements were made before the new coach arrived. Deals were given to players as contracts expired throughout last season for example both before and after Hock's ban IIRC. This happened six months ago so plenty of time to decide on his future especially given most players in Hock's position just get sacked. A club doesn't cease to function while it waits for a new coach it wasn't certain of getting.

Dave

As usual in these matters, all bile is being directed at the club.... Have any of you who are considered that the club may be trying to help Gareth Hock, but he is undecided what he wants to do.... I am getting really fed up with all this speculation just because people who don't need to know the personal dealings twixt the club and Gareth Hock, think they should..

If Wigan announce that Hock is re-signing after his ban, Millward could just as easily comment that going to Aus would be a better move. Likewise, if Wigan announce that Hock is signing for another British club, he could say the same thing. In fact he may have MORE reason to say it under these circs, as he could then argue that Hock had made a mistake rather than just speculate.

It would be an "extraordinarily thing" for a coach to indirectly criticise another club's chairman????

Are you serious?

What's going to happen - is IL so powerful that he can get Millward's chairman to sack him purely for expressing a viewpoint?

Even in the highly unlikely event that holding this view was actually seen as criticism, it would most likely be seen as criticism of Hock for not making the correct decision about his own future. Accusing IL of making a deal that favours Wigan can hardly be seen as criticism.

You really are on dodgy ground with this one, Dave. I'd stick to just complaining that we haven't been told anything.

Quite right things started to happen weeks and months ago. But they have been announced because they had been sorted/ agreed by all parties. We have had nothing announced about our new sponsor yet because there is nothing to announce. Like wise Hock. Should they call a press conference regarding Hock, sit the press down and announce that there is nothing to announce? Maybe Hock wants time and space away from the sport while he sorts his personal life. Maybe he does not like what has been to put him? Who cares? In time when all concerned sit down and agree on something, then it will be announced.

Rubbish.

Dave wants to know NOW.

Absolutely. If he's piddled off at anyone, it is the Saints management. I say management because the fans were shocked and protested much at his departure and so I don't think he will feel similarly about the Saints fans. He should never have moved to Wigan but gone straight back home as he was clearly somewhat bothered by whatever it was that happened here. I'm glad he's back in the country and I hope he shakes and stirs it because things have become way too bland in recent times.