Hull kick off their Super League season in just over two months.
John Cartwright believes his Hull FC side earned back some ‘respect’ last season – but in doing so have perhaps lost the element of surprise.
A much-improved outfit, Hull proved to be a resilient, gritty, and competitive side no matter the result in 2025, a reality which was a welcome contrast to the soft underbelly reputation of years gone by.
However, that newfound reputation comes with its own warning, one Cartwright has already issued to his squad, albeit with two months still to go until the Super League opener against Bradford Bulls.
Hull, gunning for a play-off finish, won’t be taken lightly – with the Black and Whites challenged to not fall into the same trap against one of the competition’s newly promoted teams.
Speaking to Hull Live, Cartwright said: “I don’t know how other sides took us last season, but if they were going into games thinking that they were going to get an easy win, well, I don’t think they will now. I think we earned the respect from the opposition, but we didn’t expect any favours last season and we won’t this season.
“Bradford being out of Super League for a long time; they were one of the original powerhouses, and it will be a massive game for both clubs. There’s a lot of excitement coming out of the new clubs and it’s always dangerous to play them early in the year.
“We’re all equal at the start of a competition and they will want to make a mark. It’s a home game for us and we’ll be taking it really seriously.”
Hull will be backed on the opening night by at least 9,000 members, with Cartwright once again praising the community feel of Hull – one he can relate to his Penrith roots back in Australia.
“It’s a good number for the club and we want to keep pushing forward,” Cartwright added. “The more the merrier. We want the stadium to be as full as it possibly can be and we want to push that average crowd up as high as we possibly can.
“We’ve got to play our part in that – we’ve got to be competitive and we’ve got to be willing to dig deep in games but it’s nice, without a ball being kicked, to be sat here with over 9,000 memberships sold.
“I’ve said it many times but it just reminds me of Penrith when I grew up there. We have a Championship football team and we’ve got Hull KR on the other side, but wherever I go, I see and hear nothing but black and white.
“The players and the staff do a fantastic job in being involved in the community and it’s things like that, while only small, that build the profile of the team and the town. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”