John Cartwright believes Hull FC loanee Sam Eseh is getting better and better in the black and white – with the player now looking like he ‘belongs’ at the club.
The now 22-year-old rejoined Hull earlier this year, signing a season-long loan deal from Wigan Warriors. He made four appearances for the club in a short loan spell last season but has really settled in this term, playing nine times and scoring two tries.
Eseh, who came through the Wakefield Trinity academy system, has only missed one game since coming back into the side – and that was against his parent club. Meanwhile, his performances have got stronger and stronger, with the prop looking more confident and aggressive as a result, with Cartwright leading his praises.
Speaking to Hull Live, the Hull head coach said: “He is (enjoying himself), and it’s always good to see players come out and improve. He looks like he belongs now.
“Sometimes it just takes time and some minutes out on the field. For a young boy, he’s got plenty of upside, and he’s getting better every week for us.”
Hull have the desire to keep Eseh beyond this year should the opportunity present itself. He is currently contracted at Wigan for the 2026 season – with Matt Peet confirming as much last month.
That means that Hull would have to pay a fee if they were to keep the player, who they rate highly – although Wigan, who will lose Harvie Hill to Hull next season and Liam Byrne to Warrington Wolves, may well require his services next term.
Elsewhere, Cartwright also praised Lewis Martin despite Friday’s disappointing defeat to Castleford Tigers. The winger scored two tries, taking his season tally to 18 from 17 games, but it was his work in the backfield and defensive reads that impressed as much, if not more.
His performance also came off the back of confirmation from the RFL that the player minute caps brought into play for 2025 are live – albeit they are not enforced, meaning Martin’s minutes are left for his club to manage.
“He’s a good finisher, he’s got great speed, and he keeps popping up in the right places,” Cartwright said. “He’s doing a good job. He’s working hard to get us out of our own end as well, and defensively he’s on the improve as well. While he is scoring tries, there are a lot of other things to like about him as well.”