Hull FC face a familiar and grim reality. The latest notebook.
Hull FC loan player Ethan O’Neill.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC’s worst case scenario for Friday’s trip to Leigh Leopards makes for grim reading, with as many as 16 players potentially out of the fixture.
Ten were already absent for Sunday’s game at Bradford Bulls, with two, Brad Fash (knee) and Amir Bourouh (failed HIA), now ruled out to injury. On top of that, Ligi Sao (shoulder), Davy Litten (shoulder), and Lewis Martin (ankle) also picked up knocks, with Yusuf Aydin sent off for a dangerous tip tackle and likely to receive a ban.
As for returns, Matty Laidlaw is within a shout should he pass he return to play protocols from a failed HIA, and Herman Ese’ese is nearing a return from an Achilles injury. But Hull will remain without Will Pryce (ACL), Jed Cartwright (hamstring), John Asiata (hamstring), James Bell (knee), Sam Lisone (pec), Arthur Romano (ankle), Connor Bailey (collarbone), and Joe Ward (ACL). An incredibly frustrating situation.
Loan reality
It’s not ideal, but you’d assume Hull will be making some enquiries regarding loan moves this Monday morning as they weigh up their current reality. They already have Leeds Rhinos duo Jeremiah Mata’utia and Ethan O’Neill at hand and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them ask the Rhinos for help again. Presley Cassell was a name on their radar earlier this year and they may go back in once more, albeit Leeds have a reserve game against Castleford on Friday night. It’s a sorry situation, but it may be a case of needs must.
The other option
Hull do have some young players to call on this week. Will Hutchinson is likely to get a shot given the loss of Amir Bourouh and there are middles to go at with Matty Laidlaw, Will Kirby and Joe Phillips.
It’s an option Andy Last is behind. Rather than focus on who will be out, for the interim coach, it’s all about who is in, challenging his young players to take their opportunity, akin to Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, and Harvey Barron back in 2024, and make a name for themselves.
“I’ve got to work with the players that are available to us and stop focusing on people who aren’t available to us,” Last said. “I think it does creep into the lads that he’s not playing and he’s not playing and he’s not playing.
“The message needs to be you’re playing, so what are you going to do to effect performance and stop worrying about people not out there. That’s a message which I’ll be stressing to the lads.
“What was it? 2024, and some guys like Logan Moy got an opportunity and played well. Lewis Martin got his opportunity and played well and Harry Barron got his opportunity and played well. There might be a chance now for a couple more. I’m hoping that they’ll come in and are able to do the job for us.”
Time is running out
The last thing Hull FC want is for their season to slip away before it’s reached the midway stage, but that looks like the reality by each passing defeat. It doesn’t get any easier either, with a trip to Leigh next on Friday night.
“If you continue losing, the gap between the top guys and the rest gets bigger and bigger,” Last said. “I think the team at the top are on 18 points now and we’re still sat on eight.
“We’re five wins short of them and three wins short of the top six. For us, we’ve just got to take it week by week and try put out a team which is capable and going to compete hard against Leigh.”
James Bell confirmation
Andy Last also confirmed that James Bell suffered his knee injury in Hull FC training last week, with a prognosis given.
“He picked up a knock; it was a training accident,” Last said. “He just twisted his knee and his meniscus has popped out, so he’s having a meniscus repair. He’ll be missing from four to eight weeks.”