Logan Moy reflects on 'mental' Hull FC run, Simon Grix's influence and big Super League difference

Logan Moy was once described as a 'cheeky character' who 'buzzes' around Hull FC training. That was former head coach Tony Smith's assessment prior to his first-grade debut back in April, and it's proven to be on the money.

There is a cheeky smirk about the teenager, who has continued his rise under interim coach Simon Grix, playing seven first-team games. There's also a welcome energy about him. He's enthusiastic, happy, and positive. It's infectious.

Yet despite the rise that comes with a run in Super League, there's also a sense of modesty from the talented Hull-born full-back, one of the club's most exciting young players, who recently put pen to paper on a new three-year deal. He may be in his element right now, but he has his feet firmly on the ground. He's taken nothing for granted, instead enjoying every moment of his current first-team opportunity.

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"If you told me last year I'd be debuting this year, I'd be buzzing with that itself," Moy, still only 18 years old, told Hull Live. "I was just hoping to get around the boys, train in the first-team, and get around that environment. My debut was such a special moment, and then to play seven games is mental. I'd have given myself no chance that I was going to do that.

"It's just mad to say that I'm playing with these players that I've watched since I was a kid, the likes of Danny Houghton and Tom Briscoe; I've watched them all of my life. Carlos Tuimavave is the same; just playing with them and thinking that I'm helping this team in a positive way is an amazing feeling.

"I can't thank Grixy enough for that. When Tony left, I thought I had to restart that period, but he put his trust in me. He is a great bloke, and I get along with him really well. I'm enjoying it under him. He's letting me do what I want to do, and he's encouraging me more to play.

"He's told me that I will find more opportunities when I come back against the grain and to tell the boys that's what I want. He wants us to express ourselves. You can't ask for more than that.

"I'm just trying to keep my confidence up now and play on the front foot. I play my best rugby when it's a fast game, but I've loved it so far. I just want to keep learning now and get better and better."

Slotting into Hull's spine, Moy has played the last four games alongside Ben Reynolds and Jake Trueman. It's a partnership that the lively teenager can only see growing, with Moy, who has risen through the club's scholarship and academy systems into Super League, finding his feet in what he has branded as a much faster competition.

"In training, we can see it getting gradually stronger," Moy explained. "For me, it's getting that confidence in myself and just picking up the last-second passes, which is a bit quicker now moving up to first-team than it was in the reserves.

"It's a bit of a pressure thing, and a bit of confidence. It's just faster—a lot faster. You literally get a split second, and you've got to make the right decision on the spot.

"When I went back to reserves, I felt the difference right away. I had a lot more time on the ball. I came back after that Saints game where I caught the ball, and I'd have no time at all. We played London when I came back to the reserves, and I'd have so much time to run and express myself. Eventually, I'll learn how to do that in first-grade.

"It's more physical, too, Super League. I wouldn't say it's massively more physical than reserves, as you've still got quite a few Super League players playing, but you can tell. I can come off after a game thinking, 'I've hardly done out in that one' and I'll be disappointed with my performance, but I'll be aching like mad."

Paying tribute to those who have supported his journey so far, Moy, a Skirlaugh junior, is forever grateful for his Hull FC development. The teenager puts a lot down to Pete Riding, the club's former Head of Youth, and the man who replaced him last month, Richard Tate.

"Pete has been a big part of my career up to now," Moy said. "He's a great bloke, and I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me, getting me through the system. He's been massive and is just a really genuine guy.

"Tatey is another one I've come through with. He's been here the full time I've been here. He's the same. He's truthful, and he's always there if you need him.

"Franny Cummins as well; he is so knowledgeable and is constantly telling me little bits and pieces about my game that I didn't even know about myself to make it better. I appreciate it all. It's only going to help me in my career."

And while an exciting and hopefully long stint at his hometown club awaits Moy, the teenager is only thinking about Sunday's game, with Hull heading across the Pennines to face Salford Red Devils with a former club great in Marc Sneyd awaiting them. For Moy, who watched Sneyd's greatest hour in the Challenge Cup wins at Wembley as a fan seven and eight years ago, that modesty shines through again.

"It's mental to say I'm going to be sharing the field with the likes of Marc Sneyd," he added. "My teammates too; it's overwhelming, but come the game, I just have to get my head down and just get through it.

"They're one of the best teams in the competition at the moment, but we're going there to try and win. We don't just want to put on a performance. We want to win.

"We've had a bit of a reset, and we're confident. We've got injuries, but everyone who has stepped in this year has done a job. That's the main thing. We trust each other, and we will give it 100%."

Read more: 'Hull FC through and through' Simon Grix confirms young forward in contention for Super League debut