Yahoo News Hull FC talking points as leader emerges and youth plan takes another step forward
Hull FC have played one of three scheduled pre-season games, coming out of their clash against the Bradford Bulls with plenty of positives. They may have lost 34-32 on Sunday afternoon, but it was more about the performance, as is always the case with a friendly. Here, Hull Live looks at some talking points.
The comeback
Bradford were always going to cause Hull some problems with their starting side. It had a lot of first-team experience, and it showed, with the Bulls producing a powerful account. They built a commanding 28-6 lead at half-time and looked set for a comfortable victory, but Hull had other ideas, showing a lot of character and spirit to fight their way back.
It should be noted that Bradford changed their side in the second half, with a lot of their own youth products getting a shot, but it was still more experienced than Hull, who fielded a raw team, to say the least. Yet as the age group evened up, the tide turned, with the Black and Whites getting more and more of a foothold.
They scored some neat tries, and in terms of second phase and push play, they certainly put some of the things they've been working on into practice, producing some bright moments on the ball. With the right attitude on show and a willingness to dig in, there was a lot to go at, with the side standing up and not backing down when under adversity. That is perhaps the biggest thing to take to Doncaster next week, and something, if we're going down the fundamental road, that offers the most encouragement.
Defensive improvements
Despite the spirit on show, Hull left Odsal with some things to work on. They were too loose with their defence in the first half, second best in terms of contact and field position. They struggled to control the ruck with their discipline therefore struggling with ruck infringements and more. It was understandable, and the goal for the side, which will have much more experience next week, will be to tighten up.
Tony Smith has already stated that the second-half defensive display was much more like it, with the players bending their backs and getting some good hits underway. The contacts were better, and therefore, their ruck control and, in turn, their grip on the game were better.
However, there is still a long way to go in the defensive department. It's their number one area of improvement this year, with Smith implementing a system that, ironically, fits in with the new tackle height laws that enter the professional game in 2025. Having those improvements ahead also promotes some honesty. They know they can get better, and it keeps them in check.
Gardiner continues rise
Hull's game at Bradford was all about their youth, who were captained by Will Gardiner. The most experienced player in the side, with a total of nine first-grade appearances, the prop forward, who is still only 22 years old, left a good impression, particularly in his second stint. He was carting the ball up but also promoting it, resulting in a try for Zach Jebson.
Gardiner has already stated he's targeting a spot on the interchange this year, getting more Super League games under his belt. This was another step in the right direction. He's a tall and sizable player with a big engine. Hull need him knocking on the door of the seventeen now, and the early indications are he'll do just that.
Elsewhere, the likes of Denive Balmforth, Nick Staveley, and Zach Jebson all finished the game strongly, while Charlie Severs got the minutes he craved on his return from injury and Damel Diakhate also had some moments. If selected next week, it'll be interesting to see how they look with more senior players around them. That's always an important point to consider.
Hull's long-term plan
When results haven't been going Hull's way, it's been tedious to talk about tomorrow, but with what Hull are bringing through, it's hard not to. Despite many of Hull's first-team academy promotions looking good on the ball, in particular Jack Charles, it speaks volumes that some of Hull's brightest players at Bradford, for instance, Lennon Clark and Will Kirby, are still current under-18 academy players. They were invited into the first-team for their first senior appearance after impressing in Francis Cummins' set-up, and they never looked back.
Clark scored a try, crashing over on the left edge, whereas Kirby was aggressive and had some really promising moments. There were also four more academy invites, with Jon Turner, Will Hutchinson, Ryan Westerman, and Roman Dawson, who also got on the scoresheet, playing their part. There's a really encouraging indication now that Hull are starting to bring through the right sort of player with the attitude and hunger to keep pushing those above them—something that really bodes well for the future of the club.
