Hull FC’s Super League signing far more optimistic than NRL counterpart following win

Hull FC faced off against Sheffield Eagles in a triple-header pre-season fixture yesterday with the wheelchair, women’s and men’s sides all playing and all three games were nail biters.

The wheelchair sides faced off first and fought out a 26-26 draw before Hull FC women secured a close victory over the Eagles with a 26-24 win.

That left the men’s game to be the decider and after a shaky first half Hull FC secured the win 22-20 in a brilliant game.

As triple-headers go it was a great spectacle and helps build on the legacy of the World Cup but for the players it was just a chance to get some pre-season game time into their legs and build relationships with their new teammates.

One man who had a great game off the bench and got some valuable minutes was new signing Brad Dwyer with the former Leeds Rhinos man putting on an impressive display.

Having been given the number 33 there was speculation as to the role that he could play in 2023 but if his performance is anything to go by he could force his way into the starting 13.

Dwyer also tweeted about the experience and was encouraged by the game.

Loved being out there in the new colours yesterday 🔥🙌🏻 boys showed plenty spirit, a good place for us to build from 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/kmq54k8TPV

— Brad dwyer (@DwyerBrad) January 23, 2023

Plenty of posirtive thoughts from Dywer with the verstaile 29-year-old seemingly just happy to get some minutes into his legs.

That was in deep contrast to another one of FC’s star signings with full-back Tex Hoy, formerly of Newcastle Knights in the NRL, very disappointed with his personal performance and promising fans to expect better of him.

Hoy tweeted: “Poor performance on my behalf … keep moving forward #TrustTheProcess”

Poor performance on my behalf.. keep moving forward #TrustTheProcess https://t.co/VvOqCgs5fU

— TEX HOY (@texhoy) January 22, 2023

Whilst Hoy was critical of himself, new boss Tony Smith was excited with the way both he and his new Australian counterpart Jake Clifford played, and he also had praise for Dwyer too.

In comments made to the team’s website, Smith said: “I thought they [Tex Hoy & Jake Clifford] showed some good signs considering that was their first run out in English conditions,” he said.

“Each of them showed how exciting they’re going to be for us. But more than anything, it was important for them to just play today.

“Many Australians come over and fail to rip it up immediately – I just thought the earlier I could give those two 40 minutes under their belts, under those circumstances, the better they will be for it.

“Brad [Dwyer] was good, as well. I thought he sped the game up. He came on and he was electric, so we didn’t learn anything more from that.

“He still gets me excited in the way he plays and I think most other people feel the same way.”