Let’s be honest, Hull FC needed to be busy going into 2025. They’ve endured the season from hell on the pitch and with their last off-season recruitment going horribly wrong and Tony Smith being sacked, things have gone pear-shaped off the field, too.
Black and Whites fans have been able to celebrate just three wins all season. As such, the least they deserve is to have something to look forward to next time around with big changes being made at the MKM Stadium.
John Cartwright is arriving in the off-season to take over as head coach, while eight new faces have been announced so far with the expectation being that there is still more to come.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how they could line up next season, as things stand.
Full-back: Jordan Rapana
The New Zealand international will be arriving at Hull from Canberra Raiders having penned a two-year deal with the club. He’s about as experienced as they come and while he has spent much of his career on the wing, it seems he could take up the number one spot at Hull next season.
Outside backs: Lewis Martin, Ed Chamberlain, Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe
In all honesty, Hull FC could probably do with a little more star quality and depth in the outside backs, if Rapana is to play at full-back this season. Chamberlain and Hardaker will be making the move from Leigh and supporters would be well within their rights to get excited about the progress of Lewis Martin. Davy Litten and Harvey Barron are the only other recognised options beneath the surface, though, and while they are promising prospects, over a 27-game season they might need a little more.
Halves: Jordan Abdull, Aidan Sezer
Abdull will be returning to the west side of Hull next season and after falling out of favour at Hull KR, he might just have a point to prove in black and white. He’ll be looking to rediscover his top form and the presence of Sezer alongside him might help him do that, with the former Leeds Rhinos man returning to Super League from Wests Tigers.
Front-row: Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Ligi Sao
Cartwright would have every right to look at his starting front row options with confidence and while there have been reports that Hull would be willing to move Sao on, while he stays at the club he will continue to be a key man. Ese’ese on the other hand has arguably been one of the club’s players of the season. Amir Bourouh is arriving from Salford Red Devils and he’ll be keen to showcase his best in the number nine spot.
Back-row: Jordan Lane, Jed Cartwright; John Asiata
Jordan Lane has had a strong season and he might even be considered as a Hull FC captaincy candidate in 2025. Cartwright, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to build any traction on the field whatsoever since making the move to Hull, but with his father in the hotseat, he’ll be under pressure to perform. Super League fans don’t need telling what Asiata is about and he could well turn out to be Hull’s best piece of business.
Bench: Brad Fash, Jack Ashworth, Oliver Holmes, Cade Cust
Cust’s arrival from Salford Red Devils hasn’t been announced yet, but he’ll surely be involved and could provide hooker cover. Oliver Holmes looks to be good bit of business while Jack Ashworth will be hoping to find consistency with his fitness.
