Hull FC have seen their young players take some buig
Hull FC have unearthed some young gems this season, and none more so than their two young wingers: Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin.
The duo have had superb seasons, scoring 40 tries between them, but more importantly, standing tall with their carries and metres, and also reading the plays in defence.
But in the view of Zak Hardaker, both players are only scratching the surface of what they are capable of. Crowned Hull’s triple Player of the Year on Monday, Hardaker, a former Super League title winner and Man of Steel, believes the duo can still go up a few notches, and the same applies for Davy Litten, another promising young player who has had a solid season.
Speaking to Hull Live, Hardaker said: “Harvey and Lewis – the two wingers, I think they’ve had awesome seasons but I don’t think they’ve scratched the surface with the capabilities of where they can go with the talent they’ve got.
“They are tremendous young players, but I think they can still go up a few notches yet. Their try-scoring ability, their quickness, their power, and stuff like that – they’ve got it all in abundance. Davy too; he’s done a great job in the centres, and he will get better year on year.
“They’ve got it all going for them, and then there are the old farts like us dotting in and about the team and trying to help them and guide them.”
And on winning Hull FC’s Player, Players’ and Supporters’ awards, Hardaker was quick to praise his teammates. He said: “Lewis Martin – he’s had an absolutely phenomenal year. Herman Ese’ese too; if he was fit for the last few games, he might have won these awards. And Aidan Sezer – he’s led us around the park pretty much on his own for large parts of the season. Those lads have done their part.”
Hardaker also praised the community element of Hull’s players this year, an award won by Litten. The club has put a big emphasis on getting out into the community throughout the season, with each first-team player assigned their own project – Hardaker’s is all about mental health.
“We speak about performances but it’s the community too, going out into hospitals and schools and putting in over 400 hours. I think that’s outstanding,” Hardaker added. “It’s astronomical, really, and that’s what this club is meant to be about. Long may that continue.”