Hull FC are limping on but they have to keep going.
Hull FC are not even half way through the Super League season but are already eight points off the play-offs. Battling another injury crisis, with form and consistency hard to come by, a top-six finish seems a tall order – and we’ve only just entered June.
Despite season-ending blows to Will Pryce, lengthy injury diagnoses for John Asiata and the like, and senior departures in the shape of Liam Knight opening up a quota spot, recruitment has been restricted to loan signings – the most recent of which is young Warrington Wolves prop forward Max Wood, who joins Leeds Rhinos pair Jeremiah Mata’utia and Ethan O’Neill for the next month.
More lengthy recruitment options have come up, but those options, through one reason or the other, have not been deemed viable enough to act on, with the club not interested in stop gap signings and instead players who can add to their squad for 2027 and not roadblock it. For instance, Bailey Hodgson.
But despite the logic, those realities, given nine defeats in 13 league games, have left many feeling like the 2026 season is done already – a sad reality of a year that was supposed to see Hull kick on after a promising 2025 campaign.
In truth, this year has been a disaster. Injuries have derailed any challenge, especially the Pryce and Asiata blows given the influence they have on Hull’s shape and structure, but injuries don’t tell the full story. They don’t mask the fact that Hull, who seemed to be playing catch-up in pre-season with an abundance of winter surgeries, was off the pace at the start of the year with a brand of rugby that was far from easy on the eye.
And then there’s the off-field dramas. Hull have been a soap opera at times, with the John Cartwright saga standing front and centre of that drama.
The club have since moved on from that saga, with Andy Last placed in interim charge and continuing to negotiate a tough hand. And while Hull can be seen right now to be in limbo, waiting for new head coach Steve McNamara’s arrival, they have to keep cracking on.
It’s Huddersfield Giants up next at the MKM Stadium, and make no mistake about it, it is a must-win game. Hull need something to feel good about, and despite 2026 feeling like a lost cause, there’s still plenty to go at. There are still 14 games to go in the Super League season and this side need to pick up some wins.
Hull are battling on, and for all the doom and gloom and all the injuries, with Zak Hardaker, before anyone is confirmed to return this week, making it currently 15 out to injury or suspension, they haven’t thrown in the towel, no matter how hopeless things may seem.
While their attack failed to click at Warrington Wolves last week, they are at least standing up in defence and their ability to hand in games. In terms of grit, tenacity, resilience, and spirit, Hull can’t be faulted. They have significantly improved in those departments and are far from the side that crumbled time and time again just two and three years ago. They are having a dig every week and that at least puts them in the contest.
They could have easily won three of their last four games with a bit more polish and finesse. Finding that, amid some welcome returns, is now key. Get that polish and some wins aren’t far away – and wins are crucial to keep fans and shareholders on board through the next three months. A win, by any means, against the Giants, who are equally having a tough time, is a must.
The situation is grim, make no mistake there, but Hull have to take what they can out of it. The current injury reality is seeing Last blood some of the club’s freshest talent, with Lloyd Kemp the brightest spark on that front over the last two games. The teenager has got stuck in, showing the tenacity and grit that is embedded into the team right now. He has offered a glimmer of hope, with Will Kirby equally throwing himself in the deep end and giving his all.
Logan Moy has also impressed, and while young players naturally have development in them, there are sparks of encouragement and something to get behind. Hull now need more of those sparks to ensure this season doesn’t fizzle out. They have three home games now before the Magic Weekend derby against Hull KR – and they need to find some performances.
They can’t afford to limp on before McNamara arrives. They have to take it week by week and get some wins – and that has to start this Saturday afternoon. It’s an absolute must.