Hull FC have reportedly made a centre their number one priority as they begin their recruitment search for 2027 and beyond.
The Black and Whites are expected to go into the season with Zak Hardaker and Davy Litten in the centres and John Cartwright has every right to be happy with that. However, Hardaker turns 35 this year and the club must consider how long he will be able to hit such high levels.
As such, a centre makes sense for the Black and Whites ahead of the 2027 campaign and according to Hull Live, Umyla Hanley was deemed to be an option. That was before the centre penned a new deal to remain with Leigh Leopards long-term with Hull now having to look elsewhere for their star centre.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at just five alternate options for the East Yorkshire outfit.
Alternate Hull FC centre options
Zac Cini (Castleford Tigers)
The 2025 season was a difficult one for Castleford but Cini was one of the club’s most consistent performers in the outside backs. The 25-year-old joined the Tigers from Parramatta Eels on a two-year deal and scored five tries in 22 appearances during his first year with the club.
He demonstrated versatility by switching to full-back in the second half of the year and eyes may well be on how he performs under Ryan Carr.
Jake Averillo (Dolphins)
Averillo has already been linked with a move to Super League with St Helens being among those linked with the Dolphins man. The 6’0” tall centre might also come across Hull’s radar though with his time in the NRL appearing uncertain to say the least.
The 25-year-old has made 125 appearances in the NRL, scoring 53 tries along the way and 22 of those efforts have come in Dolphins colours.
Toby King (Warrington Wolves)
King struggled to find his best form with Warrington last season but he has held down a starting shirt coming into this season and he’ll be keen to play a role in Warrington’s attempts to climb back towards the top of the division.
The England international is still only 29 and with his future to play for, he’ll be motivated coming into the new campaign. Could he be the right fit for Hull?
Taane Milne (Huddersfield Giants)
The 30-year-old had an up and down first season in Super League with Huddersfield Giants but when he was good, he was very good. If he can find that consistency this season under Luke Robinson he could be a real handful in West Yorkshire.
With almost 100 NRL appearances and 17 caps for Fiji under his best, he’s experienced and he could be the strike centre Hull FC are looking for. Jacob Gagai is also off contract but while he did feature at centre towards the end of last season, he has spent most of his career on the wing or at full-back.
Delouise Hoeter (Brisbane Broncos)
The Tonga international will be 32 in March so it’s unlikely that he’d be considered a long-term option for the Black and Whites. But, he’s someone Cartwright will know well from his time at Brisbane, where he has made nine appearances and scored five appearances since joining in 2022.
Most of his game time has come in the Queensland Cup, with 87 tries in 167 games demonstrating just how much of a threat he carries. His age has to be a factor but if he’s still at the peak of his powers, he could be an option.
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