Hock to Parramatta?

[Mike]

Is the SL sinking into mediocrity and losing all its best players on the way?

I think that SL has already sunk into mediocrity. Those at the top seem detached from what is going on around them. We see it, the players see it. So can we blame some of them for wanting out. The NRL can then cherry pick our top players.

What would you do? Pay the players more money? Where would that come from - most clubs lose money most years even with the salary cap.

[Garry Riley]

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[DaveO]

Is the SL sinking into mediocrity and losing all its best players on the way?

I think the Aussies have woken up to the talented individuals in the SL over the last two years, and now its cheaper than their local talent. We are very much like the dutch league in relation to the premier league - what player would not leave the SL to go to the NRL, its better quality, higher profile and better paid.

It is not just about the players wishes or it should not be. Hock is only one year into a five year deal. If he has gone the club had to agree too it and if every time one of its best players pitches up with a request to leave it caves in so easily just what is the point of the club existing at all?

Hansen may as well go with him now rather then wait for his contract to be up before joining the NZ Warriors. Mossop ought to be on a plane to see Madge tomorrow.

If you add to that the special circumstances surrounding Hock the mere fact he may well have gone to the club and asked for a release is a slap in the face to the club and the fans which can't IMO be excused for the reasons you mention. He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

[DaveO]

What would you do? Pay the players more money? Where would that come from - most clubs lose money most years even with the salary cap.

I'd hold them to their contract and sue them and anybody or any other club who induced them to break it if they did.

[Kittwazzer]

He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

Don't agree with that. He'd have been snapped up. The 5 year contract will ensure we get compensated and is good business in my opinion!

[Garry Riley]

Is the SL sinking into mediocrity and losing all its best players on the way?

I think the Aussies have woken up to the talented individuals in the SL over the last two years, and now its cheaper than their local talent. We are very much like the dutch league in relation to the premier league - what player would not leave the SL to go to the NRL, its better quality, higher profile and better paid.

It is not just about the players wishes or it should not be. Hock is only one year into a five year deal. If he has gone the club had to agree too it and if every time one of its best players pitches up with a request to leave it caves in so easily just what is the point of the club existing at all?

Hansen may as well go with him now rather then wait for his contract to be up before joining the NZ Warriors. Mossop ought to be on a plane to see Madge tomorrow.

If you add to that the special circumstances surrounding Hock the mere fact he may well have gone to the club and asked for a release is a slap in the face to the club and the fans which can't IMO be excused for the reasons you mention. He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

That last paragraph sums it up for me.

[DaveO]

He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

Don't agree with that. He'd have been snapped up. The 5 year contract will ensure we get compensated and is good business in my opinion!

Wigan spent two years looking after him so unless you think another club would have stepped in to do that which I seriously doubt would have happened I would argue his chances of rehabilitation were actually very slight. He may have been picked up by another club once his ban expired but the way Wigan worked with him has got to be a big part of why he is now back playing for England. I really doubt he'd be the same player or maybe even in the game without all that.

As to the five year deal being good business what use is a transfer fee when there isn't a comparable player to sign who we would be able to afford the wages of or fit under our pathetic little salary cap? The object of the exercise is to assemble a strong team and win things not angle on making a killing on your best players.

We have lost too much quality form the side in one go by a long way and a transfer fee is most likely to be spent if spent at all on whats available - lower standard players.

[DaveO]

If you add to that the special circumstances surrounding Hock the mere fact he may well have gone to the club and asked for a release is a slap in the face to the club and the fans which can't IMO be excused for the reasons you mention. He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

Am i right in assuming Penrith Panthers would have taken him at the end of his ban ?

Would they have looked after him during the two year ban? That two years and the support he got is the key to him having a career now.

[DaveO]

Reading all the comments re-hock allegedly re-offending and considering his age, i am inclined to agree with you cash, in and let someone else put up with the shit

I don't think problems are the likely reason for his exit. Clubs can't really tell a player he has no future with them and then try and sell him, not for a substantial fee anyway.

I think the fee , if we ever find out what it is, will give us a clue to who instigated the move. It it is high it will have been Hock. If low then the club.

[Sutty]

If you add to that the special circumstances surrounding Hock the mere fact he may well have gone to the club and asked for a release is a slap in the face to the club and the fans which can't IMO be excused for the reasons you mention. He would most likely not have a career in the game if it were not for Wigan. If he has forgotten all that so easily then he is of poor character and good riddance.

Am i right in assuming Penrith Panthers would have taken him at the end of his ban ?

Would they have looked after him during the two year ban? That two years and the support he got is the key to him having a career now.

An NRL club would have probably just sacked him and cut their losses. But then again, there is much more of an abundance in the NRL of world class players (of which Hock is one). Having said that. If it was for cocaine abuse, then a club may have stuck by him to help him with his dependancy on the substance.

Every single one of the SL clubs in the league would have kept hold of Hock, as Wigan did, had he been on their books. He's the most destructive back rower in the league and any club would want him to stay with them.