A big comparison made for Hull KR’s recently promoted prospect.
Promoted Hull KR academy prospect Frankie Dearlove has drawn comparisons to industrious forward and fan favourite Dean Hadley, with academy boss Jason Netherton praising the teenager’s work ethic and athleticism.
The 18-year-old back-rower has been rewarded with a professional contract running until the end of 2027, after progressing through Hull KR ’s pathway over the past four years at scholarship, academy, and reserves level.
He spent time in Willie Peters’ first-team environment across 2025, impressing enough to earn a full-time two-year contract at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Academy head coach Netherton has waxed lyrical over the youngster, and insists the “sky’s the limit” after impressing in the youth ranks.
He has also represented Yorkshire in the Academy Origin, and scored in five games out of the 12 academy fixtures he has appeared in – against Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity, Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls and city rivals Hull FC.
“We are all very proud of what Frankie has achieved this year,” said Netherton.
“He is a player in the mould of Dean Hadley, very athletic and incredibly hard working. He always does the little things that other people aside from his team-mates wouldn’t notice.
“Frankie has come along through the pathways incredibly well, with a full-time pre-season and some confidence building, the sky’s the limit.”
He adds squad depth in the back-row at the Robins, joining the likes of Hadley, James Batchelor and Rhyse Martin, while Jai Whitbread also started nine games in the position across the unprecedented treble-winning 2025 campaign.