Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 9:32 pm  

To Bonaire as it won't let me quote...

We don't want to upset young Mr Beaumont again do we...

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 9:33 pm  

Whils I would never have signed Hardaker for his off field antics. You can’t deny he consistently delivers when on the pitch:

- silverware with Leeds
- Cas were the best they’ve ever been
- silverware with Wigan
- Silverware with Leigh

He’s a competitor and a winner. If the club have him on a short leash he should be a steady signing despite his age. Probably improves us and let’s be fair, we can only sign what’s available.

Whilst he wears the B&W shirt I’ll support him but off the pitch I have 0 respect for him.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 9:35 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

If we sign cross's it makes the hardaker signing even more baffling. Crosswise solid enough but I was hoping for better I the centres, particularly for a quota player

Cross isn`t a Quota Player, he is English.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 9:58 pm  

Fair enough, I always thought he was an fussiest. Solid but not gonna transform our back line

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 10:14 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

In November 2013, Hardaker withdrew from the England squad during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, citing personal reasons.[53] He was later handed a £2,500 fine and a written warning by his club Leeds Rhinos after he "acted unprofessionally" prior to his withdrawal from the squad.[54]

In June 2014, Hardaker received a five-match ban and a £300 fine for making homophobic comments which appeared to be directed towards referee James Child.[55] Hardaker issued a public apology for the incident, claiming the insult had been directed towards Warrington Wolves player Michael Monaghan rather than the referee.[56]

In March 2015, Hardaker and Leeds teammate Elliot Minchella were detained and questioned by police over the alleged assault of a 22-year-old student, causing Hardaker to miss his side's 18–6 defeat by Warrington Wolves. Hardaker did not face criminal charges, but admitted to the assault and agreed to pay £200 compensation and write a letter of apology to the victim. He was also once again subject to internal disciplinary action by his club.[57]

In October 2017, Hardaker was omitted from Castleford Tigers squad for the 2017 Super League Grand Final against former club Leeds. Castleford issued a statement saying that Hardaker had been left out for an unspecified "breach of club rules".[58] On 9 October 2017, Castleford released a statement confirming Hardaker had received a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.[59] It was also announced that Hardaker would not be selected for the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after testing positive for cocaine.[60][61]

In September 2018, Hardaker was arrested for allegedly drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid MOT. He was banned from driving in October 2018, having been found to be over double the legal limit.[62]

In February 2024, Hardaker was again found guilty of driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol and driving without due care and attention. He was charged at Leeds Magistrates Court, and received a fine of £1346 along with a three-year driving ban. [63] Leigh Leopards issued a club statement, committing their continued support to Hardaker following the incident

Surely enough reasons there as to why we shouldn't be signing him?

Guess you’re not a fan then.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 10:19 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

Technically he's still serving his current punishment. Would you say the same if rovers had signed him? Drink driving costs lives, it cant be defended.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone or bottle.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 10:51 pm  

Hardaker is a tool which I could live with if he were any good but whatever he had is long gone and will be further I the past by the time he finishes his 2 year contract. He'll be 33 when next season starts. If him and Sutcliffe are our starting centres it will likely be the worst 3/4 line in superleague

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 10:59 pm  

I only care about whether he produces the goods for us when he puts our shirt on and goes on the field for us.

Lots of millions of people have flaws in their private life. But if they turn up for work and are performing in their job, then that's fine by me.

The World would be a horrible. authoritarian World if we lived our lives to the letter of the law. It probably wouldn't function very well too, just like we won't function well without players who are good at their job.

If Hardaker goes in for a winning try in a Grand final or cup final for us, I will be cheering rather than not protesting.

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Thu May 09, 2024 11:23 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

Hardaker is a tool which I could live with if he were any good but whatever he had is long gone and will be further I the past by the time he finishes his 2 year contract. He'll be 33 when next season starts. If him and Sutcliffe are our starting centres it will likely be the worst 3/4 line in superleague

He'd still be younger than Whitehead is now at that time. Let's not mention 40 year old Gareth Ellis or 39 year old Clive Sullivan when he won the cup with us in 82. Or when he won the cup with Rovers in 1980 at 37

Ellery Hanley scored 40 tries in a season from loose Forward for Leeds at around the age of 33 orv34. He was also Great Britain coach at the time

Re: Shopping list for 2025 : Fri May 10, 2024 5:10 am  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

He'd still be younger than Whitehead is now at that time. Let's not mention 40 year old Gareth Ellis or 39 year old Clive Sullivan when he won the cup with us in 82. Or when he won the cup with Rovers in 1980 at 37

Ellery Hanley scored 40 tries in a season from loose Forward for Leeds at around the age of 33 orv34. He was also Great Britain coach at the time

Is that last stat true?