Latest contract extensions show FC’S future plan of action
ACCENT IS FIRMLY ON DEVELOPING RISING TALENT
Hull FC have now re-signed eight players to new deals as their squad starts to take shape for 2024. Already, there’s a clear direction forming, and it’s all centred on youth development.
It’s what the club promised, and they are sticking to their guns.
In total, five of those re-signed players, Jack Brown, Cam Scott, Nick Staveley, Will Gardiner, and Zach Jebson, are 22 or under, along with Joe Cator (25), Brad Fash (27), and Ligi Sao (30). A clear pattern is forming.
This is Hull’s future: players nurtured from their own system who have done the hard yards, remained patient, developed, and will lead the side in years to come, mixed in with experience from elsewhere and quality from overseas.
In the summer era, that has been the recipe for Super League success.
You only have to look at the four winners – Bradford, Leeds, Wigan, and St Helens – to work out the common denominator. That’s not to suggest Hull will be the next cab off the rank there; they’re way off that level right now, but you have to start somewhere, and this is it.
This is the direction Hull have been building towards, and it’s one that is backed by head coach Tony Smith.
The end goal is to build a quality squad with that very cocktail: the energy of youth, the calmness of experience, and the extra quality from the quota.
Setting the foundations, Hull are on the right track. Signings like Liam Sutcliffe and Jake Clifford have been excellent, with Tex Hoy and Jake Trueman also fitting in.
Youth is also on the rise. Davy Litten tells you that. He’s just turned 20, and he already looks the part.
There’s more to come from both the Academy and Reserve outfits, with the potential to be unearthed by Michael Shenton, Pete Riding, and co.
This is Hull’s long-term plan in action: developing from within, retaining, and adding the right players from the market when needed. It’s just crucial that they get those decisions right this year on the latter two, with some big calls still to be made.
Of course, there will be new signings to come, both domestically and overseas, and more contract renewals, but those decisions won’t be rushed. Hull don’t need to panic, and this is exactly why Smith is taking his time with those on the other side of 30 who are still out of contract and where extra thought needs to be put in before decisions are made.
It’s smart business. Hull are making sure they look after themselves, avoiding similar situations of the recent past. They need to retain players that will add value to their squad while leaving enough space on the cap to recruit further quality.
That’s a process they haven’t got right in recent years, and that’s why some changes will be made. There’s been some already, with Kane Evans’ early release confirmed last week.
As always, the key is balance, and if Hull can add the right faces to those they retain and promote from within, then they’re on the right track. They just need to trust their judgement and remain patient with their vision.
Thankfully, and as stated numerous times, they have the right man in charge to oversee it all.