It’s fair to say Hull FC ‘s 2024 Super League campaign has been one to forget. The Black and Whites have won just two games all season and the huge turnover in personnel has been indicative of their struggles on the pitch.
However, there will be more adjustments as the team prepares to welcome John Cartwright as its new manager this winter and a number of new players are expected to join. Oliver Holmes, Jordan Abdull, John Asiata, and Zak Hardaker are just a few of the players who have committed to Hull FC for the upcoming season. There is optimism in west Hull that more new players will be named before the season ends.
Hull must also decide how to keep many crucial players beyond the season, including Joe Cator, Carlos Tuimavave, and Danny Houghton, whose contracts expire at the end of the game. However, the team does have a young, bright group of players to draw from, and Cartwright will be eager to collaborate with them.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how Hull FC could line up in 2025.
Wingers: Tom Briscoe and Lewis Martin
Despite just having made his club debut in April, the 18-year-old has already established himself as a vital component of Simon Grix’s FC lineup. He has already made ten appearances, and he appears destined to contribute significantly in the upcoming season. Cartwright might be considering adding a more seasoned player at the back, but Moy has undoubtedly captured his attention.
Even at 34, Briscoe is still going well, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is destined to be one of Cartwright’s starting wingers the following campaign. Although Martin is, as far as we can tell, nearing the end of his career, he has been a consistent member of the Black and Whites this season and he certainly looks the part. In fifteen appearances he has scored five tries and at the age of 19, he’s only getting better.
Wingers: Tom Briscoe and Lewis Martin
Hardaker and Chamberlain will both be making the move over from Leigh Leopards at the end of the season and it seems likely they will be Hull FC ‘s first-choice centres, given Carlos Tuimavave is off contract at the end of the season and Liam Sutcliffe and Cam Scott are moving on. Hardaker is 32 now but comes with heaps of experience, while Chamberlain fared relatively well during his brief loan spell at the MKM Stadium earlier this season.
Half-backs: Jake Trueman and Jordan Abdull
For Trueman, the upcoming season is crucial. The stand-off’s contract expires at the end of 2025, so he’ll be motivated to establish some consistency and form during a full and uninterrupted campaign after yet another season marred by injuries. The England international will have something to prove after Hull KR’s unexpected decision to let him go, so Abdull’s arrival will relieve some of the pressure on him.
Front row: Ligi Sao, Amir Bourouh, Herman Ese’ese
Whether he’s playing in the back row or through the middle, Ligi Sao just continues to perform in a black and white shirt. The Samoan has been with Hull since 2020 and his size and strength has been critical for the club over the last four years. Ese’ese has been Hull FC’s best 2024 overseas recruit by some distance. In fact, he’s the only one still at the club with the club cutting ties with Jayden Okunbor, Franklin Pele and Fa’amanu Brown already.
Amir Bourouh looks set to take the hooker reins, although there is still uncertainty about whether Danny Houghton will be in a position to go around one more time.
Back row: Jordan Lane, Jed Cartwright; John Asiata
Jordan Lane’s form has been up and down over the last couple of seasons but he’s shown his defensive might this season, making 528 tackles and featuring in all 16 of the club’s Super League games. Jed Cartwright looks set to take on a second row spot, too, with the head coach’s son making the move to East Yorkshire early. Cartwright is still waiting to make his debut for the club as he continues to struggle with a foot issue.
Asiata is another one set to move over from Leigh, with Hull FC tying down the powerful Challenge Cup winner to a three-year deal. Cartwright will be looking to the 31-year-old, who has spent time at North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos, to play a key role next season.
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