O’Donell scored FOUR tries in Leigh’s win.
Kai O’Donnell showcased what Leigh fans will be missing with an exceptional performance against Hull FC on Sunday, including an unlikely four-try effort. His display was so impressive that head coach Adrian Lam labeled it the ‘best’ performance of the season in Super League.
Despite Leigh’s efforts, O’Donnell will be heading to Australia next season to join the North Queensland Cowboys. However, he’s not finished yet, as his first senior hat-trick helped keep his club’s play-off hopes alive.
Even O’Donnell, 25, seemed surprised by his fourth try against a struggling Hull team. Lam praised him, saying: “It was possibly the best performance of the year from anyone in Super League. I hold Kai in very high regard; he’s among the best in the competition and might have scored two more tries. His teammates respect and appreciate him. He leads by example, a true professional who earned those four tries through hard work, not luck.
“He works tirelessly and leaves nothing behind. I tried to rest him for 10 minutes, but he insisted on staying on and scored his fourth try. We will miss him greatly, but his development has been a great honor for the club.”
Hull aimed to make a comeback after trailing 12-0 and playing with a man disadvantage due to Will Gardiner’s yellow card, managing to level the score at 12-12 by halftime. Logan Moy and Harvey Barron scored tries, both converted by Jack Charles, to match the tries from O’Donnell and Frankie Halton. Hull’s Darnell McIntosh also received a yellow card for a needless tip-tackle in the 37th minute.
Despite Leigh playing their third game in 11 days, the visitors were confident of their chances. With Hull reduced to 12 men, Leigh took advantage in the second half. O’Donnell capitalized on a grubber kick from Lachlan Lam and Leigh scored 30 unanswered points. Lam, a superb scrum-half, was instrumental, setting up all of O’Donnell’s tries and also delivering a brilliant pass to allow McIntosh to score against his former team.
While Papua New Guinea star Lam has been rumored to be linked with Catalans and Hull for 2025, the coach confirmed, “He will be here next year, it is as simple as that.”
Leigh’s Owen Trout was sin-binned for a head clash with Yusuf Aydin, but it didn’t affect the outcome. Former England star Zak Hardaker scored twice, including his 150th career try against the club he will join next season, and also converted two goals.
Hull handed a debut to their Australian second-row, Jed Cartwright, son of John, who will take over as head coach in 2025. However, caretaker coach Simon Grix acknowledged, “It was challenging. They outperformed us in terms of attitude, despite their own busy schedule.
“We had many young players out there facing this situation for the first time, and it’s tough for them. We started the second half poorly, and we need to be smarter.”