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2025 Season Preview: Hull FC

25 Jan 2025

Hull FC are one of multiple clubs entering a new era under a new head coach – this time it’s John Cartwright – with nine fresh faces in their 2025 squad.

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???? #COYH | @Hull_Trains pic.twitter.com/jeXyUKdNpG
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) December 31, 2024

2024 was a disaster was the Black & Whites. With 3 wins out of a possible 27 all season, the only thing keeping Hull FC off the foot of the Super League table was purely points difference.

With heavy losses, constant upheaval, and hitting a squad number 50, it is a year that will not be looked back on fondly by the Old Faithful.

But there was certainly hope with the emergence of promising youngsters – and foundations put in place for a brighter future. Hull's young players gained significant experience for this new year, and have now been joined by a number of experienced signings - ultimately forming a squad with a blend of young and senior stars, plus the strength and depth needed to compete.

It's a new beginning for the club and a key goal of Hull FC must be to put pride back in the shirt and make the MKM Stadium a difficult place to visit again. And after consecutive finishes of ninth, 10th and 11th, the goal should simply be to break the trend and start to climb back up Super League.

There will be lessons learned heading into the 2025 campaign, and the Black & Whites should be hoping to right their wrongs, to avoid being at the wrong end of the table this time out.

So where exactly will Hull find themselves this season?

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???? #COYH | @ecostrad pic.twitter.com/pJY6QCinqh
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) November 23, 2024

Ins & Outs

Ins: John Asiata (Leigh), Amir Bourouh (Salford), Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes, Ed Chamberlain (all Leigh), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Cade Cust (Salford), Hugo Salabio (Huddersfield)

Outs: Cameron Scott, Jake Trueman, Danny Houghton, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Charlie Severs, Sully Medfort, Lennon Bursell, Jeylan Hodgson, Macca Harman, Tiaki Chan, King Vuniyayawa, Leon Ruan, Sam Eseh, Liam Tindall, Morgan Smith, Jack Walker

Ones to watch

Aidan Sezer is the new skipper for FC in 2025. Not only has he played for three NRL clubs throughout his career, but he previously had stints with Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos, so knows exactly what to expect in the Super League.

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???? #COYH | @ecostrad pic.twitter.com/vbhszyj8SU
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) November 16, 2024

Son of coach Cartwright, Jed Cartwright, made his debut for FC in Round 21 last year and scored two tries in five appearances. Having made a decent start in such a short space of time, Cartwright should offer Hull some strike on the edge, as well as vital leadership.

Jordan Rapana has also joined the Black & Whites for the 2025 campaign. The Canberra Raiders star has been brought in to play fullback, where he will inevitably add an abundance of experience.

As a decorated New Zealand international, Rapana has already played at the MKM Stadium (formerly KC) twice throughout his career. The first time was in New Zealand’s narrow test match defeat to England in 2018, before he kicked his country to glory and scored a match-winning try in the Kiwis’ 2021 Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final victory over Fiji.

How often will we see him touching down in West Hull in 2025?

And let’s not forget powerhouse Herman Ese’ese, who will be hopeful of a really big year. Only Rhyse Martin made more gain line metres as a forward in Super League than Ese’ese in 2024 – a remarkable statistic in a team finishing 11th and one that illustrates the front rower’s insane efforts throughout what was a difficult year.

Our number 8? ??

???? #COYH | @Hull_Trains pic.twitter.com/iu8YnZIsXZ
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) January 7, 2025

Next generation

Academy talent Logan Moy came off the bench to make his Hull FC first team debut against Huddersfield Giants at the MKM Stadium in April.

After a number of standout performances for the Black & Whites throughout the 2024 campaign, in which many of Hull’s youth were required to step up, he was deservedly named the club’s Young Player of the Year.

Moy may not be first choice fullback in 2025 but will continue to grow in confidence and develop his game by being in and around the first team and their calibre, and there should be no reason why he cannot push for a game day spot.

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???? #COYH | @Hull_Trains pic.twitter.com/Y1OUZBRfD2
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) December 27, 2024

Defining dates

Hull’s biggest goal will be to win more than three matches this season, with their main focus to pick up victories against the teams around them.

Following this, they will be desperate to play their role in a competitive derby against high-flying neighbours Hull KR. Quite frankly, FC have been embarrassed by their nearest and dearest in recent seasons, which has included two consecutive nillings from their bitter rivals right on their home patch.

Can the Black & Whites finally reclaim bragging rights?

Squad list

1 Jordan Rapana, 2 Harvey Barron, 3 Zak Hardaker, 4 Ed Chamberlain, 5 Tom Briscoe, 6 Jordan Abdull, 7 Aidan Sezer, Herman Ese’ese, 9 Amir Bourouh, 10 Ligi Sao, 11 Jed Cartwright, 12 Jordan Lane, 13 John Asiata, 14 Cade Cust, 15 Oliver Holmes, 16 Yusuf Aydin, 17 Jack Ashworth, 18 The 18th Man, 19 Brad Fash, 20 Davy Litten, 21 Will Gardiner, 22 Lewis Martin, 23 Logan Moy, 24 Jack Charles, 25 Denive Balmforth, 26 Zach Jebson, 27 Matty Laidlaw, 28 Nick Staveley, 29 Ryan Westerman, 30 Callum Kemp