O’Neill played with the pair at Leigh Leopards last season
Hull FC back row forward Ethan O’Neill.(Image: SW PIX)
Ethan O’Neill knows all about the two players Hull FC will be bringing over from Leigh Leopards in the off-season.
The Black and Whites have signed both Bailey Hodgson and Isaac Liu from the Leopards for next season and O’Neill played with both during his one season at Leigh Sports Village.
Liu is heading over to the MKM Stadium on a season-long contract to provide knowhow, experience and leadership in the pack. Hull-born Hodgson on the other hand, can provide the running threat, tenacity and strength Hull need at full-back as they look to bounce back from what has been a dismal 2026 Super League campaign.
O’Neill has already been in touch with the pair before they head over to East Yorkshire and the back-rower is tipping them both to be huge successes in black and white.
“I was excited, I’ve been messaging Is and the same with Hodgo,” O’Neill said on his first thoughts when he heard Liu will be joining him in west Hull. “It will be good to be back playing with those two again.
“They’re both really good football players and they know their way around the paddock. They’re going to be extra football brains for us and they’re going to help us win games.
“I’m very confident that what they’ll bring to the table will benefit the team.”
Speaking specifically on what Liu will bring to Hull, he added: “Leadership, consistency and just a big voice in the locker room that everyone can look towards in times of need .
“When someone needs to hear something, Is will say it. He’s a quiet fella but when he speaks the whole room listens because he’s got that experience, he knows what he’s talking about and he’ll bring that knowledge to all the younger lads that are coming through, myself included. I’m excited to be back playing with him.”
The Black and Whites have announced seven new signings for the 2026 season, with Liu and Hodgson being joined by Alrix Da Costa, Jordan Swann, Daly Cherry-Evans, Junior Pauga and Josh Coric.
Coric will be joining the club from Wynnum Manly Seagulls and while O’Neill, who has a strong knowledge of the second string competitions down under, has never come across him, he knows what to expect.
“I think he’ll be very positive for us,” he said. “From what I’ve seen he’s a workhorse in the middle and we need that. He’s big, he’ got a big engine on him, I’ve seen something somewhere saying he averages 150m per game.
“That’ll be good for us so I’m excited to meet him and play with him.
“There’s a lot of quality in both of those competitions. I’ve played both of them and everyone there is chomping at the bit to play first grade and wanting to take the opportunity at first grade. “I’m sure the boys we’ve got coming will take that opportunity with both hands.”