Could we see an all-Hull Grand Final in 2026?

[Martyn Sadler]

https://www.totalrl.com/talking-rugby-league-could-this-be-the-year-of-the-hull-clubs/

[MZH]

13 minutes ago, Martyn Sadler said:

https://www.totalrl.com/talking-rugby-league-could-this-be-the-year-of-the-hull-clubs/

Unlikely, but plausible. I think both teams will be top 4.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

Have I missed something re Hull FC? Sure, they've made a couple of signings that will strengthen them, in Arthur and Lisone especially, but nothing jumps out to make me think they're going from 7th to a GF. 

FWIW I do think they'll make the play offs this year and maybe go on a cup run, but i'd still put Wigan, Leeds, Saints (along with KR) ahead of them when talking about who reaches GF. 

Edited January 28 by hunsletgreenandgold

[phiggins]

Should be a really good season. I look at all of last season's top 7 and think they should make the 6, so I've no idea who misses out. 

My natural pessimism leads me to one obvious conclusion. 

[sam4731]

I actually don't think that Hull KR will make it. Vegas and a WCC will take it's toll.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

44 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

I actually don't think that Hull KR will make it. Vegas and a WCC will take it's toll.

2 games in Feb will hamper them reaching a Grand Final in October? Doesn't seem likely. 

[jacksy]

Year or two, too early for me.

[Damien]

3 hours ago, MZH said:

Unlikely, but plausible. I think both teams will be top 4.

I know you support Hull FC but why do you think they will be in the top 4? I know last season was a big improvement but as an outsider looking in how have they strengthened and got better? Its not a dig, I'm genuinely interested because a strong Hull FC is good for the game.

They need about 5 more wins to get into the top 4 and although they were much improved last season another big improvement would be needed.

[Luke HKR]

Not saying they will get top 4, but to answer your question Damien. People forget how many injuries they had last year, for a while they had 2 centers as there 2nd row. So providing that clears up, and with there signings improving not just the side but depth if the squad. It is a possibility.

[phiggins]

I think if Asiata and Pryce can stay fit, they'll make the 6.

[Eddie]

I can’t see FC getting anywhere near the final. I’d like it if they did though, a strong Hull FC is good for the game, I tend to think they should be one of the biggest 4 clubs. 

Edited January 28 by Eddie

[MZH]

5 hours ago, Damien said:

I know you support Hull FC but why do you think they will be in the top 4? I know last season was a big improvement but as an outsider looking in how have they strengthened and got better? Its not a dig, I'm genuinely interested because a strong Hull FC is good for the game.

They need about 5 more wins to get into the top 4 and although they were much improved last season another big improvement would be needed.

First of all I think people forget just how hopeless we were in 2024. We were rank rotten. The improvement Cartwright was able to get out of them in one pre season was massive and there's no reason to think he can't keep developing them. We also have a lot of young talent that should again improve.

We were actually very close to being a top 4 team last year but a few silly slip ups hurt us, and then in the last month or so we were absolutely ravaged with injury. No Pryce, no Asiata, no second rowers, Watts and Laidlaw our only real props. We just ran out of resources pretty much.

As for recruitment. I think we've strengthened the pack significantly with Hill, Lisone, Batchelor and Bell coming in, and Watts, Lane and Ashworth the only ones of note to leave. Man for man all are significant upgrades. Bell is particular is an important signing I think. There was a massive drop off last year when Asiata wasn't on the field. Partly because he's a quality player, but also because we just didn't have anyone else to play that ball playing 13 role that our attack revolved around. Bell is a competent replacement that should minimise the impact of missing Asiata, and will also allow us to rest Asiata. There is also the return of Sao who played about 5 minutes last year.

Elsewhere I think Romano is a handy pick up, Connor Bailey is unproven at SL level but looks very talented, and Jake Arthur could go either way, but players like him often go well over here. If he's the next Hastings or Croft he could be final piece in the jigsaw. His signing also means that Cust is freed up to spell the hooking role, which I think is his best position.

On paper I don't think theres any more exciting backline in SL (Wigan might beg to differ, but we've got pace and skill to burn), the halves, in theory at least are a good blend of skills and cover all bases. It's a big, quality pack with a mix of good engines and impact players. Plus we have good depth and a lot of exciting young talent.

Of course there might be a tinge of bias in all that, but I'm genuinely more excited about this season than I have been since 2016/17.

[Futtocks]

10 hours ago, Martyn Sadler said:

https://www.totalrl.com/talking-rugby-league-could-this-be-the-year-of-the-hull-clubs/

Martyn invokes Betteridge's Law of Headlines. I reckon he's been down the betting shop already.

[hunsletgreenandgold]

2 hours ago, MZH said:

First of all I think people forget just how hopeless we were in 2024. We were rank rotten. The improvement Cartwright was able to get out of them in one pre season was massive and there's no reason to think he can't keep developing them. We also have a lot of young talent that should again improve.

We were actually very close to being a top 4 team last year but a few silly slip ups hurt us, and then in the last month or so we were absolutely ravaged with injury. No Pryce, no Asiata, no second rowers, Watts and Laidlaw our only real props. We just ran out of resources pretty much.

As for recruitment. I think we've strengthened the pack significantly with Hill, Lisone, Batchelor and Bell coming in, and Watts, Lane and Ashworth the only ones of note to leave. Man for man all are significant upgrades. Bell is particular is an important signing I think. There was a massive drop off last year when Asiata wasn't on the field. Partly because he's a quality player, but also because we just didn't have anyone else to play that ball playing 13 role that our attack revolved around. Bell is a competent replacement that should minimise the impact of missing Asiata, and will also allow us to rest Asiata. There is also the return of Sao who played about 5 minutes last year.

Elsewhere I think Romano is a handy pick up, Connor Bailey is unproven at SL level but looks very talented, and Jake Arthur could go either way, but players like him often go well over here. If he's the next Hastings or Croft he could be final piece in the jigsaw. His signing also means that Cust is freed up to spell the hooking role, which I think is his best position.

On paper I don't think theres any more exciting backline in SL (Wigan might beg to differ, but we've got pace and skill to burn), the halves, in theory at least are a good blend of skills and cover all bases. It's a big, quality pack with a mix of good engines and impact players. Plus we have good depth and a lot of exciting young talent.

Of course there might be a tinge of bias in all that, but I'm genuinely more excited about this season than I have been since 2016/17.

I think when you put it like that I can see why FC fans are optimistic and pundits/media types hyping them up a bit. I'll echo others and say I hope they are challenging - when they're going well FC attract big crowds and everything about them has that big club feel. The problem is season by season you just never know what you're going to get - they are reliably inconsistent. Hopefully Cartwright turns the corner in that, but i'll wait til 10 games in before deciding if last seasons near miss was a sign of things to come or an exception. 

[LeytherRob]

I think there are 7 genuine GF contenders going into the season and it’s probably going to come down to who has does better in keeping themselves fit, or coping when not. 

Hull FC had quite a few injuries last year that kept them lower than they were capable of, keeping Asiata, Ese’Ese and Cartwright on the pitch will be a big factor as when all 3 are fit it’s one of the hardest packs to defend against in the league for me.

[JohnM]

15 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Martyn invokes Betteridge's Law of Headlines. I reckon he's been down the betting shop already.

Shirley, shouldn't you have posted "Has Martyn invoked Betteridges Law of Headlines?"?

[northamptoncougar]

Pryce and Asiata just cannot stay fit, take them two out and it's a more workmanlike team once again.

I'll be surprised if the two above make 30 games between them.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Would be a must see GF match up for sure and confirm a break from the Leeds-Saints-Wigan monopoly on the big prize.

[Gooleboy]

Can't see it myself. I think Hull KR will struggle to do a back to back GF this season. They may will get some silverware again. As for Hull, they improved last season, but for me, are still a way off getting to a GF. A top 6 place at best.

[Worzel]

18 hours ago, MZH said:

First of all I think people forget just how hopeless we were in 2024. We were rank rotten. The improvement Cartwright was able to get out of them in one pre season was massive and there's no reason to think he can't keep developing them. We also have a lot of young talent that should again improve.

We were actually very close to being a top 4 team last year but a few silly slip ups hurt us, and then in the last month or so we were absolutely ravaged with injury. No Pryce, no Asiata, no second rowers, Watts and Laidlaw our only real props. We just ran out of resources pretty much.

As for recruitment. I think we've strengthened the pack significantly with Hill, Lisone, Batchelor and Bell coming in, and Watts, Lane and Ashworth the only ones of note to leave. Man for man all are significant upgrades. Bell is particular is an important signing I think. There was a massive drop off last year when Asiata wasn't on the field. Partly because he's a quality player, but also because we just didn't have anyone else to play that ball playing 13 role that our attack revolved around. Bell is a competent replacement that should minimise the impact of missing Asiata, and will also allow us to rest Asiata. There is also the return of Sao who played about 5 minutes last year.

Elsewhere I think Romano is a handy pick up, Connor Bailey is unproven at SL level but looks very talented, and Jake Arthur could go either way, but players like him often go well over here. If he's the next Hastings or Croft he could be final piece in the jigsaw. His signing also means that Cust is freed up to spell the hooking role, which I think is his best position.

On paper I don't think theres any more exciting backline in SL (Wigan might beg to differ, but we've got pace and skill to burn), the halves, in theory at least are a good blend of skills and cover all bases. It's a big, quality pack with a mix of good engines and impact players. Plus we have good depth and a lot of exciting young talent.

Of course there might be a tinge of bias in all that, but I'm genuinely more excited about this season than I have been since 2016/17.

This is my view

Hull FC have a decent squad and Cartwright is a good coach. No reason they can't make the Top 4

Both Hull sides being strong is good for the sport, and certainly good for re-building talent pathways for the game in Hull

[Josef K]

I don’t know about a GF, but Rovers/FC at Wembley would be great. 

[Worzel]

34 minutes ago, Josef K said:

I don’t know about a GF, but Rovers/FC at Wembley would be great. 

That's something we never want to see... no upside for me, and only downside in removing the current 1980 bragging rights. In fact, I think I'd rather lose a semi-final if Hull were already in the final 

[Martyn Sadler]

19 hours ago, Futtocks said:

Martyn invokes Betteridge's Law of Headlines. I reckon he's been down the betting shop already.

On the very odd occasion I've had a bet on Rugby League, I discover that the bookies know more than I do, so I would be reluctant, although those odds of 16/1 for an all-Hull final would look tempting, I would think.

With 14 clubs in Super League there are 156 potential Grand Final combinations, which would mean that, other things being equal, every combination would be priced at 155/1.

On the other hand, if we believe that only the top 7 from last season have any chance of making it, then there would only be 21 possible combinations, meaning an average price of 20/1.

In the circumstances 16/1 looks a good bet when one of the clubs has made it to the last two Grand Finals.

[Paul Sharp]

No I think it will be Warrington's year this year.

[MZH]

6 hours ago, northamptoncougar said:

Pryce and Asiata just cannot stay fit, take them two out and it's a more workmanlike team once again.

I'll be surprised if the two above make 30 games between them.

Asiata is a concern admittedly. Pryce I think just had a bad run of luck. To recover from a hamstring injury and then break your foot the very next game after landing awkwardly from catching a kick is pretty unlucky. We will see, but I'm not really concerned about his fitness in the way I am Asiata and Cartwright who always seem to have one niggle or another.