Matty Laidlaw is doing everything he can to earn a new deal at Hull FC. That’s the view of head coach John Cartwright, who has praised the conduct and attitude of the young front-rower.
Laidlaw has been biding his time for first-team action this year. He made his first Super League appearance of the season against Wigan Warriors last month and played on dual reg for Doncaster against Halifax Panthers over the weekend.
And by all accounts, the 21-year-old went well, with Cartwright airing the qualities of the middle, who debuted in 2022 and is gunning for a new contract at the club.
Speaking to Hull Live, Cartwright said: “He did a really good job (in the Wigan game). He did exactly what his coaches asked of him, which is all we can ask. He’s a lightweight middle, I suppose, but he’s as tough as anyone.
“He is courageous, and he puts his head on the line. I spoke to him after that game, and I said to him if he keeps continuing with those performances whenever he gets a chance, then he’s going to be knocking on the door.”
Laidlaw isn’t the only young middle that is looking to earn a new contract at the club, with Will Gardiner also aiming to extend his time with Hull. The 23-year-old prop also debuted in 2022 and played on dual reg alongside Laidlaw for Doncaster over the weekend.
“Whenever you’re off contract, that’s your time where you’ve got to be playing your best footy, and they (Laidlaw and Gardiner) are doing a good job,” Cartwright explained. “They went to Doncaster at the weekend, and they knocked over the leaders, Halifax.
“They were both really good at what they did. Those boys have had a couple of games, and they’re knocking on the door.”
Elsewhere, the likes of Cobie Wainhouse and Zach Jebson remain out of contract, with more senior players like Tom Briscoe and Jack Ashworth also seeing their deals expire.
The club are yet to make final decisions on those players, with external factors like the proposed quota exemption rule – one which would allow them to get Liam Knight under the quota next season with James Bell (who has played in the U.K. leagues since 2020) counting off – still to be determined.
But the stalling of that process is frustrating Cartwright, who is still awaiting what figures are on the cap before the club – who have made new signings in the shape of Bell – not to mention Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, and Harvie Hill – can commit to further extensions.
“It’s ongoing, mate,” Cartwright said on that process. “It’s like with anything; it’s a bit of a wait and see. There are things hanging around the quota situation, and that affects your salary cap.
“Unfortunately, until we get a real clear ruling on what’s happening with that quota situation, it’s hard to go and recruit, not knowing what you can spend.
“We haven’t heard back yet (after the quota meeting), and you can’t go and spend your cap or sign a quota player while you don’t know if it’s available. Until we get clarification on that, everything has to slow down.”
Elsewhere, rugby union winger Charlie Robson has gone back to London after featuring for the reserves side on trial last Friday night.
“He’s decided to go back to London,” Cartwright confirmed. “He was keen to have a game of rugby league – we had a game on, and we were keen to give him the opportunity.
“He went okay. He’s very green with rugby league, but he’s decided to head back to London.”
Robson scored two tries during the 60-6 victory over Salford but was also sent off late on alongside Wainhouse after a scuffle broke out between the two sides. Yusuf Aydin was also sin-binned for an accidental elbow contact.
Cartwright added: “I didn’t see exactly what happened, but from all reports, I don’t think there were any cases to answer.”