Hull FC walked away from the Magic Weekend after an abject display against Huddersfield. There was no hiding from it. They knew it wasn’t good enough.
But they fronted up, were honest about it, and did something about it. That’s this 2025 team in a nutshell. There’s accountability and professionalism, but most importantly, they back their words up with action.
That’s why they, after a gruelling period of training and a season reset, have been able to respond. Staying true to their beliefs, Hull have come out firing since the defeat in Newcastle. They didn’t get the result at Headingley, succumbing to a late Leeds fightback, but they have learnt from it, being comfortable winners at Leigh and then even more so at Catalans.
That leaves Hull with seven wins and a draw from their opening 13 league games. They’re well poised in Super League and with 14 games still to go, they are set for a top six push. Whether, in a season of ups and downs, that reality comes to fruition, time will tell, but Hull, in fifth spot, are on track.
They are everything they said they would be this year: resilient, gritty, and together. They also knew there’d be bumps along the way, but again, it’s about how they respond to such adversity. Hull have now come out of their toughest period to date and look stronger for it, particularly with key players to come back in the selection fold in the coming weeks.
They’re well poised, but for John Cartwright, there’s no case of getting carried away. It’s week by week, and nothing more. One game at a time and all the cliches. It’s about performance and sticking to standards, with composure and discipline the two pillars to work off. Both facets have ensured that it’s performances that are now starting to peak again.
Hull were impressive at Leigh. They were very good again against Catalans. But it’s also important to not be naive about it. Leigh fell behind their own standards and Catalans, going through some turmoil, are a shadow of what they once were
Then again, you can only beat what’s in front of you. Hull have done just that. Let’s not forget they’re a completely new team this year; they’ve brought players in mid-season, they’ve got new coaches, new backroom staff, new everything. These things take time. They were also written off with no chance of making the six.
But it’s hard not to be impressed by the bite in this Hull team this year. The gritty elements on which rugby league is prided have really come to the fore. Hull really are together; they are one unit. That cohesion is so important. It ensures there’s a willingness to stand tall in the tough defensive moments, scramble, and put their bodies on their line for the mate next to them. Hull have done that all year – and it’s brought a connection with their supporters that’s not been seen since the cup-winning years.
Effort has never been in question, but this Hull team can get better too. Again, no one is naive to think the performance at Catalans was generational or anything like that, but it was solid.
Hull defended well and ensured even at 34-0 that their line wouldn’t be breached. That’s attitude. That’s character. It’s characteristics and components that you rarely associated with them last year. That’s the difference.
And while they can look to complete even higher and be even more composed and disciplined, they did dazzle at times in Perpignan with some crisp rugby league. The tries were easy on the eye, from Will Pryce sensationally breaking away for his first to running away again for his second, Lewis Martin in full fight, or Herman Ese’ese crashing over again – it was compelling stuff.
Zak Hardaker breaking through the line and having options either side of him before passing to Tom Briscoe to score was also good to see. It’s a big trait to have: support on either side of the ball, so simple but so effective, and all led superbly by captain and half-back Aidan Sezer.
There’s also a feeling that Hull’s attack can gel even more as time goes on and combinations get more settled. They will feel they are only scratching the surface with plenty more to come.
And with 15 rounds to go, there’s exactly that. Hull host Castleford next in a welcome home return, before a trip to Salford. Win both of those games, and they’ll be right in the mix.
But as Cartwright’s instructions dictate, it’s one step at a time – especially with a period now without John Asiata due to injury. There’s a week off first, though, and a chance to rest, regroup, and assess and ensure everything that they have built this season on doesn’t waver.
It’s honest hard work, attitude, effort and the like that must be carried into the second half of the season with the biggest challenges still to come, but if Hull maintain those traits, then their destiny will be in their own hands. And given where this club has been, we can’t really ask for more than that.