'Exciting prospects' Richie Myler delivers new signing verdicts as Hull FC land overseas duo

Richie Myler is backing new Hull FC signings Jed Cartwright and Treigh Stewart to make a success of their time at the club after keeping a 'close eye' on the duo. Both players will land in the UK in 'the coming weeks' after completing 18-month deals that will keep them at the Black and Whites until the end of 2025.

As reported by Hull Live on Wednesday, the duo are the first signings made by incoming head coach John Cartwright, who has been appointed on a three-year deal from next season. Working in tandem with Myler, Hull's new frontman is in daily contact with the Director of Rugby as the duo look to assemble a competitive side for next year.

Signing from NRL outfit Newcastle Knights, Cartwright Jnr is the son of Hull's incoming coach, while Stewart joins from Queensland Cup side Brisbane Tigers. Both players have been granted releases from their Australian clubs and are currently going through the visa process. They take the quota spots left after Tex Hoy and Fa'amanu Brown's departures back in April, with the club also signing Tom Briscoe and Yusuf Aydin this mid-season among a whole host of new talent for next year, including John Asiata and Jordan Abdull.

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Speaking on both moves, Myler said: "We’ve been keeping a close eye on both Jed and Treigh for some time, and we’re pleased to be bringing them both over in the coming weeks to bolster our squad for the rest of this season.

"Jed brings some real size and power to our back-row options, an area of the squad we’ve been keen to bolster mid-season. He’s been a part of some great environments in the NRL, and he’s joining us at a great age where he’s heading into the prime years of his career.

"Treigh is a really exciting prospect, and our competition for places for the full-back position is a mouth-watering thought with some great young talent at our disposal. Similarly to Jed, he’s been around a great setup in the form of Melbourne Storm earlier this year – he’ll give us pace and some much-needed additional attacking threat."

Cartwright, 27, is a back-rower by trade and came through the impressive Penrith Panthers system before joining South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2020. He has 34 NRL games to his name, and a further 57 in the New South Wales Cup. He stands at 6"4 and is also capable of playing at centre and in the middle of the field.

Stewart, meanwhile, is 23 and can play in either the full-back or half-back positions. Born in New South Wales, he came through the St George Illawarra Dragons youth system, featuring against St Helens last year. He joined the Tigers ahead of this season, who are Melbourne Storm's feeder club, training and playing for them in pre-season having also represented Papua New Guinea against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII last autumn.

Speaking on his move to Hull FC, Cartwright said: "I’m very excited to have the opportunity to move over to England and join Hull FC. I’m feeling fit and firing after playing a handful of games for the Knights in the NRL in the first half of the year. The body’s feeling good, so I’m ready to rip in when I arrive in England.

"A tough, physical game is what I’m expecting in Super League, judging by the feedback I have received from some of the boys who’ve played over there at the Knights. I feel like those are the sort of games that I really enjoy, so I’m really excited for the experience. The atmosphere over in England looks special, and I can’t wait to be a part of it all."

Stewart added: "It’s a big step for myself to come over to play in Super League but it’s something I’m excited for. I’ve played a couple of trial matches and in both Queensland and New South Wales Cup competitions, so to be able to come over and make my first-grade debut is going to be a special achievement for me.

"The physicality in the Queensland Cup is totally different from the NSW Cup, and I think that will prepare me well for playing in Super League, where there is a similar level of physicality. I played against St Helens for the Dragons in a trial match last year, and that showed me a lot about what the physicality of Super League teams is like, but it’s a challenge I feel ready for."

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