Putting this particular incident slightly aside, I really think the sentencing guidelines for a deliberate gouge are too lenient. Hock has been sentenced according to those guidelines, and the panel have taken a view that it wasn't deliberate, but if (hypothetical) somebody really is guilty of a deliberate gouge, is 8 matches really enough?

Fishta, I see what you're getting at with the drawing of parallels between biting and gouging, but in all honesty, a bite with a gumshield in would have to be pretty impressive to run a serious risk of infection. Teeth can, as you say, do more damage than fingers, but the difference is in the targetting of those fingers. Gouging somebody's arm would do no damage, it's the choice to target the eyes, which are both vulnerable and important, that makes gouging the worse offence. While both could cause very serious injury, I would suggest that a serios injury is much more likely from the gouge. I know somebody who lost the sight in one eye from a gouge on a rugby field, I don't know of anyone who has been permanently damaged by a human bite.

I think if it was earlier on in the season he would have probably got the full whack; uncanny how the 5 matches is the maximum we will play this year???

Let off lightly IMO, I just hope he screws his head back on for next year.

Gosh i hope i'm never in the dock with half of you lot, it seems hanging is far too good for Gaz Hock!!

You may have to explain to some of the posters that the "dock" is used in a court of law and has no conection to the Jeremy Kyle show. You may have to post after 10.30am so you do not clash with said show.

Very fortunate in response to the gouging. His excuse that he was looking for a lever to stand up on is a little far fetched.

Don't know if it's already been mentioned but Liam Prescott of London Skolars got a four-match ban last season for gouging. I remember the VT going into meltdown then aswell as he... oh hang on.

must be his good looks and previous good behaviour taken in to account
sindie would have been to good no time for druggies

More trouble than he is worth, the guys a complete numb head who will no doubt continue to give away stupid penaltys in the future, we where a better side without him and should have stayed that way

not to be confused with WPM.

guilty of gouging...he pleaded guilty?

got a ban.....end of.
lets hope he learns

They were always going to end his season as minimum punishment imo. As for the evidence given it sounds a bit ropey to say the least but hes been half let off by not having the full ban so he has to now sort himself and get ready for next season and come back with his rugby head on. I hope he didnt intentionally gouge Harrison because if he did i fear his temperament will get him banned again very quickly.

The biggest shame (for Wigan fans anyway) was he was starting to look good again, making decent runs and offloads. If Hock doesnt come back and win some silverware (with him playing obviously) he has only got himself to blame.

I said the same thing, if there had been 6 or 7 games left i think they'd have given a 6 or 7 game ban. Despite all the tub thumping from most i think it's a fair ban, ends his season and if you make the final ruins his day a little.

He did get the full whack. There's a precedent, four matches for gouging. If he'd have got a longer ban it would have shown there are double standards within the game.

Just like the outcry with Mick Govin oh no not then either!!

Said above dont htink he ahad the sole intention of gouging but once his fingers found themselves there he had a go. Was stupid and 4 matches maybe 5 should have been the punishment (but 4 being the standard set!) The game for the punch is a joke for me but they couldnt have him returning for the Grand Final!

loving the meltdown on certaain other forums

really is pathetic lol