Andy Last has issued a firm response to suggestions that Herman Ese’ese has played his last game for Hull FC, underlining the player’s contract status and confirming that he will definitely play on Friday night.
Speculation surrounding Ese’ese emerged at the start of the month and it was heightened even further when Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney made the claim last Thursday that Ese’ese was likely playing his last game for Hull FC.
Carney would also hint, as social media rumours had suggested, that Leeds Rhinos were the side making a play for Ese’ese, something that Brad Arthur neither denied not accepted when he spoke on Tuesday, stating: “He is not coming at this stage.”
Last has now suggested that Ese’ese is not leaving at all, outlining the fact that the Australian is under contract for 2027 and beyond, with the prop tied down until the end of the 2029 season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside at his presser today (Wednesday), Last laughed off suggestions that Ese’ese had played his last game for the club, stating: “I can assure you it’s not his last match. He’s definitely in the squad and playing.”
Last continued, adding praise for the prop: “He did a great job last week, Herman, and I told him so, in front of his team-mates. He got us on the front foot, was defensively much better, played good minutes and, like we spoke about on the coach on the way home, Herman’s an asset to any team and he’s an asset to us.”
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“Don’t see any reason why he’d be going anywhere else” – Hull FC firm on Ese’ese future
That word ‘asset’ rung true as well because in a business sense, that’s exactly what Ese’ese is to Hull FC. Contracted for another three years beyond the end of this season, any suitors would have to pay a significant fee to land the forward, whilst also matching what is believed to be a hefty wage.
Last hammered Ese’ese’s contractual status home: “We’ve got him contracted for the next couple of years and if Herman’s playing well, as he did last week, he’s an asset to all FC.”
Affirming the fact he hasn’t played his last game for the club, Last added: “He’ll be looking forward to another strong game on Friday against Caterford. He’s got the bit between his teeth. Obviously, he’s done a little bit of work behind closed doors on things that he needs to improve on. and taken that information on board and I thought we saw a better Herman Ese’ese against St Helens on Thursday night.”
Despite not answering plenty of questions of late regarding what will happen at the club in 2027, often redirecting questions to CEO Richie Myler or incoming head coach Steve McNamara, Last did respond when asked if he expects Ese’ese to be at Hull FC in the future.
That elicited a stern response: “Yes, I do expect him to be at the club. He’s contracted, so I don’t see any reasons why he’d be going anywhere else.”
