John Cartwright gives honest answer on Hull FC recruitment, Nathan Cleary rumour, and makes Richie Myler point.
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright has questioned Hull FC’s inability to strengthen the squad in the face of their injury crisis this year and says he doesn’t know why any of the players identified have not been brought in.
In an extraordinary press conference this Monday afternoon, Cartwright stated he feels ‘betrayed and disrespected’ after the decision was taken by the club to remove him as head coach at the end of the season.
A club statement last Tuesday said that Cartwright will remain in charge until then, with the Australian coach answering everything honestly and thoroughly when facing the media for the first time since his incoming exit was confirmed.
Asked about the lack of recruitment since the exit of Liam Knight and season-ending injury to Will Pryce, with cap dispensation understood to be applied for and a quota spot opening up, Cartwright stated that a total of eight players have been identified. However, for ‘one reason or another’ they haven’t been acted upon, with the coach suggesting that the question is one for CEO Richie Myler to answer.
“We’ve been trying,” Cartwright said when asked for a recruitment update. “We’ve gone through coaches and we’ve tried to assess everyone available in England and in the Queensland Cup.
“We found eight players who we thought could do a job, and for whatever reason, it hasn’t been acted upon.
“We desperately need players. We knew we needed one when Liam was going. He was a big body and we knew Herman would be out for a while. We’re a long time through the season without having any backup. That’s probably a question for the CEO.”
Cartwright was also insistent that the recruitment search is ongoing despite last week’s news. He said: “We are looking. Recruitment never stops. I’ve said that before and we are constantly looking at players in the NRL and in the Super League.
“Loans are always an option. It’s probably something we are going to have to look at. Just to get two teams to be able to train together.”
The Hull coach also dismissed any approach for Nathan Cleary, with Fox Sports reporting after a tip-off from former Black and Whites star Garry Schofield that the club put a million-pound-a-season, four-year offer in for the Penrith Panthers superstar.
Asked if there was any truth in that report, Cartwright added: “No. Not that I’m aware of.”