Hull FC 2024 season review
Overview
2024 was an unmitigated disaster for the Black and Whites. The majority of their new signings were a disappointment – with three of their big-name imports from the NRL leaving during the season – while three wins from 27 games tells you everything you need to know about their form.
Incredibly, one of those wins came against champions Wigan, but the only saving grace for Hull this year was the fact that London Broncos were in the division. Still, finishing above a team of mostly part-timers on points difference isn’t a reason to go popping the champagne corks.
The season started with an abject performance in a 0-22 loss at home to their biggest rivals Hull KR, and that was one of six defeats in their opening seven games, which meant the demise of head coach Tony Smith.
His departure did nothing to improve performances though, as they went on to win just two of the next 20, and only London’s poorer points difference prevented Hull from picking up the wooden spoon.
Highs
The 24-22 win over Wigan in round 18 was a sign of what the Black and Whites are capable of on their day. Their only other wins came against Leeds and London, and in a season with so few wins, those two games have to be classed as positives.
A number of youngsters broke into the first team and stayed there too. The likes of Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, Jack Charles, Denive Balmforth, Harvey Barron and Will Gardiner all comfortably crossed into double figures for appearances in 2024. And whilst chucking them all in at the deep end together didn’t yield many positive results, at least they stood up and they’ll all be better for the experience in 2025.
As I write this, the new IMG gradings have been announced as well, and the Black and Whites are assured of their place in Super League in 2025. It was hardly unexpected, but in a year of so few highs, at least they’re assured of a place at the top table next year, and their 11th-placed finish only just meant they managed to achieve it on the pitch too.
Lows
Where on earth do I start?
The opening day loss to their bitter rivals Hull KR was a sign of things to come, and debutant Franklin Pele’s red card summed up his short time on Humberside. The big prop only played eight games before he was shipped off to Bradford, but he showed signs there of what he could do.
Jayden Okunbor was another disastrous signing from the NRL. He only played seven times before heading down to the Championship, while Fa’amanu Brown looked ok in his seven games, but he returned back to Australia pretty quickly.
The departure of coach Tony Smith was another low point, and the fact results didn’t improve after he left would suggest it wasn’t all down to coaching.
As for individual games, there were too many maulings to mention, but the 4-29 loss to London Broncos at Magic Weekend has to be considered a particular low point.
Then again, they conceded 50+ on five occasions, so any of those losses could match that one.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
The Black and Whites have a new coach and a whole host of new signings on the way next year, so they should be much improved.
John Cartwright will be the man in the hotseat, and with close to 200 NRL games under his belt, he looks a shrewd signing.
On the pitch, John Asiata and Zak Hardaker are two of the standout signings, and Jordan Rapana, Oli Holmes and Cade Cust are some of the strong support acts.
My 2024 prediction – 7th
Final 2024 position – 11th (-4)
I’ll admit, I had a shocker here. In my season preview, my exact words were “I can’t see Hull being as bad as they were last year” and I also thought Jayden Okunbor would be a solid addition.
How wrong I was on both counts, and I seriously overestimated this side in 2024. I’m still backing them to improve in 2025 though!
