The trouble is that he probably wakes up each day intending to avoid alcohol. On most days he will. But when he’s egged on or when temptation presents itself, he can’t make the right decision. We all know what happens next..

In terms of the amount he supposedly drunk, my cynical side thinks that’s been over-done to mitigate his use of cocaine (which seemed to work). He claims this all happened two days before the game, but he took part in training at Cas at 10.00am the following morning. If he really did drink 6-7 pints, shared a litre of whisky and a litre of vodka with one other person and continued to drink spirits (and take cocaine) then he did a bloody good job of completing captain’s run the next morning. It’s more likely this happened the night before the game, when he didn’t need to be at Cas until 6.30pm the following day, but this wouldn’t have supported the case for reducing his ban from the standard two years.
Again, he could have avoided all this if, knowing he’d recently taken cocaine, he suffered a mysterious minor “injury” that meant he couldn’t play. But he made the decision to play, knowing what he’d taken and that there was a chance he’d be tested.

Zak’s a lovely lad. He’s genuine, polite and I’m sure he’ll even convince himself with all the “fresh start”, “new leaf” and “I know it’s my last chance” comments he’ll undoubtedly make. He’ll sound convincing because he’ll believe it himself. Unfortunately though, his mental health issues will likely lead him to further bad decisions.

Just curious as you seen to know a lot about him. Is he getting help for his issues?

It’s public knowledge as it’s in the UKAD decision that he’s been accessing help, both through psychological support from professionals and through medication, for quite a few years now.
Again though (and again it says in the UKAD decision so public knowledge) he goes through periods when he chooses not to take his medication (again, a symptom of his difficulties in making good decisions) and he then becomes more vulnerable to doing something stupid. He can be offered all the help possible, but if he decides he doesn’t need either the psychological support or the medication then there isn’t much anyone can do. He genuinely convinced himself he doesn’t need it anymore, until of course he does something stupid a;d realises he does (but by then it’s too late).
As with all things with mental health, it’s really difficult to support and even harder to understand each individual. He has a very volatile relationship with his partner (quant this is in the UKAD hearing) which may be a contributing factor or a result his issues too.

I’m not completely convinced beignin the public eye helps either, but playing rugby is all Zak can do.

I mustn’t be the only one now who is sick to the back teeth of reading or hearing about his well documented history? Just give the lad a bloody chance!

Well said

Unfortunately, history is generally a pretty good indication of the future.
As I’ve said though, even as a Cas supporter I hope he has a positive future. He’s a nice lad facing issues many people will never experience.
He deserves another chance, but there has to be a realisation that it comes with a high risk.

I honestly don't think there is a single fan that doesn't understand the risks with him, but even with his, lets be honest terrible track record, his talent demands him being given another chance, will it work just one person knows that answer.

Has any Wigan poster on this board given you any indication that they aren't aware of this?

You keep saying this as if the Sword of Damacles is somehow hanging over us.

We know, okay? We'd like it to work out too. If it doesn't, he goes - as per his contract - and we sign someone else.

He's had no shortage of those tbf!

He's just bitter and can't handle the fact that We took Hardaker after Cas made the mistake of sacking him, I seem to recall a few month back he was coming out with allsorts of cracks about Wigan owing Cas money and Cas wanting to take Wigan to court IIRC

Absolutely not. You don’t remember correctly!
My understanding is that the issue of BoC has been resolved. Cas could not have taken Wigan to court at all ( I made that perfectly clear, and that Wigan have done nothing wrong). They could have taken Zak to court for BoC but that’s been resolved now.
For what it’s worth I don’t think Cas did make a mistake. The club made it clear that he showed no remorse.
I’ve always had every sympathy for Zak and the issues he faces. I’ve said numerous times that I hope everything works out for him and that he’s a genuinely nice bloke who is facing some big issues.
I’m glad he’s not at Cas anymore though. Not because of his on-field ability (he’s unquestionably the best full back in SL, or at least he was in 2017), but because if the likelihood of him disrupting the who club with his antics.
I wish him well, but I’d rather he be somewhere other than Cas.

Quote: nottinghamtiger "Absolutely not. You don’t remember correctly! My understanding is that the issue of BoC has been resolved. Cas could not have taken Wigan to court at all ( I made that perfectly clear, and that Wigan have done nothing wrong). They could have taken Zak to court for BoC but that’s been resolved now. For what it’s worth I don’t think Cas did make a mistake. The club made it clear that he showed no remorse. I’ve always had every sympathy for Zak and the issues he faces. I’ve said numerous times that I hope everything works out for him and that he’s a genuinely nice bloke who is facing some big issues. I’m glad he’s not at Cas anymore though. Not because of his on-field ability (he’s unquestionably the best full back in SL, or at least he was in 2017), but because if the likelihood of him disrupting the who club with his antics. I wish him well, but I’d rather he be somewhere other than Cas.'" www.itv.com/news/calendar/2017-1 ... rugs-test/ If he showed no remorse, why did Cas offer him another contract? www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... n-warriors

Quote: nottinghamtiger "Absolutely not. You don’t remember correctly! My understanding is that the issue of BoC has been resolved. Cas could not have taken Wigan to court at all ( I made that perfectly clear, and that Wigan have done nothing wrong). They could have taken Zak to court for BoC but that’s been resolved now. For what it’s worth I don’t think Cas did make a mistake. The club made it clear that he showed no remorse. I’ve always had every sympathy for Zak and the issues he faces. I’ve said numerous times that I hope everything works out for him and that he’s a genuinely nice bloke who is facing some big issues. I’m glad he’s not at Cas anymore though. Not because of his on-field ability (he’s unquestionably the best full back in SL, or at least he was in 2017), but because if the likelihood of him disrupting the who club with his antics. I wish him well, but I’d rather he be somewhere other than Cas.'" www.itv.com/news/calendar/2017-1 ... rugs-test/ If he showed no remorse, why did Cas offer him another contract? www.skysports.com/rugby-league/n ... n-warriors

He's fine. Had over 9 RDT in the last 13 weeks and aced them all. He's well aware of the doubts everyone has and is very much looking forward to kicking off the season next year. He is 30/40% off the pace and knows he has his work cut out to get match fit for next year, that is the only worry we should really have as Wigan fans.

Good. To be honest he’s so fit I’m surprised he’s that far off match fitness. His stats are usually off the scale when it comes to fitness and endurance. Nobody at Cas could get near him in bleep test!