Tony Smith challenges young Hull FC players to push through with star picked out

Tony Smith is hoping that his Hull FC juniors put some pressure on the senior players this season. As has been well documented, there are twenty members of the first-team out of contract at the end of the year, with Smith challenging the youngsters to make a claim for a spot.

Smith has already fielded Davy Litten this season and is not afraid to blood those who he deems ready. That has seen the likes of Harvey Barron, Will Gardiner and now Nick Staveley named in extended squads with plenty more in the pipeline.

For Smith, that junior development is massive and those step ups are what he wants to see from his youth as the pressure is out on those in front of them.

Read more: Andre Savelio confident in Tony Smith's systems as Hull FC forward explains key focus

"Absolutely - the juniors here have some influence about our ongoing retention,” Smith told Hull Live. “They will be some of those boys putting their hand up for those positions. I think that's really important that we all bring them through, and that goes for every club.

“It's important to get those local boys to come through. We want the local competition to be healthy and the domestic competition to be healthy. It's really important for us.

“We've got some good kids training with us now who have been promoted to training. I'd like to do some more soon. Michael Shenton helps me with that in terms of who is ready for it. He gives me great advice there - he knows what is expected of young players.

"His and my criteria aren't too far different. There are a couple that have caught my eye that might come through. We've got dialogue all of the time about the young boys coming through which is great. It's really positive."

Smith has spoken positively already about the likes of Litten this year, labelling his energy as infectious. The same goes across the board, with those coming into the side impressing Hull’s head coach with the blueprint laid out from one of old clubs.

"Those are the kids that you want around,” Smith continued. “We'd like a whole number of them coming through at the same time. If we can get a number of them, that was the Leeds recipe some years ago, when you get a group of talent coming through at the same time, you can build a team around them.

“I'm not saying that's where we're at at the moment but we've got some ambitions to do that. We've got some good young guys. Get enough of them and you start to develop a team and then when you put a splattering of outsiders in on top of that or overseas players or marquee players, it can turn into something special.

“We've got a bit to go there. That's our longer-term focus. At the moment, we've got to get our group of players here performing to the levels that we are capable of."

Still, there are many juniors pushing through the ranks right now, with Smith, along with Shenton, promoting the likes of Zach Jebson to the first time in pre-season.

"They've come in and they've improved,” Smith added. “I think Zach as much as anybody. He's still raw but his last outing in reserve grade, he was terrific - he was really good.

“I think being around the first team has accelerated his development. He sits in all our meetings and all our previews and reviews. He came into my office today and asked me a few questions about positional play. He's not shy. He asks smart questions and he wants to learn. He's certainly got a physique of a good rugby league player but he's got the brains for one too.

“He hasn't played first grade yet and he's coming to the head coach and asking me if I would do video with him to help him understand his position better. Wow. You like those kids. You like those ones who aren't sitting back and being shy. He's trying to knock the door down."

After a controversial swap deal that has got people talking, the latest House of League episode welcomes Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity CEOs Paul Lakin and Michael Carter, who give their take on the Corey Hall/Will Dagger trade, plus lots more. You can listen to the full show below or alternatively subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple Music.

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