Hull are now joint-bottom of Super League.
Simon Grix is determined to ensure that his Hull FC side avoids finishing at the bottom of the Super League standings this year. The interim coach remains confident that with the right players and mentality on the field, Hull can still secure valuable points this season.
Hull FC suffered a heavy defeat to London Broncos at the Magic Weekend on Saturday, with the Broncos leveling the points tally on the table with a 29-4 win. This was the Broncos’ second victory over Hull this season, following their earlier win in Wimbledon.
Grix emphasizes that there is still strong motivation for Hull to avoid finishing at the bottom for the first time since the 1963/64 season. However, he acknowledges that the players need to enhance their mental approach to steer clear of this scenario with five regular-season rounds remaining.
Speaking after the match, Grix said: “The importance of this situation, personal pride, and all that—nobody wants the wooden spoon. We don’t want to finish at the bottom, and while we’re not in last place yet, we’re currently tied for it.
“I believe if we can get the right players on the field and our mindset is right, there’s still a chance to pick up points in these last five weeks. It will depend largely on our approach to our work. We can’t avoid it; we just have to move on to the next game, as always.”
Grix added: “As a club, we’re facing significant adversity. There’s a lot of noise and pressure—if you spend time in Hull, you understand the high expectations. For a while now, the realities haven’t met those expectations, and this year, it’s come to a head.
“Right now, we have many young, inexperienced players; positional changes; and some senior players are underperforming. I’m not making excuses; I’m just providing the full picture. Ultimately, mentally, we’re not where we need to be.”
When asked about the challenges of his interim role over the past four months, Grix responded: “The lack of control is tough. I’m not going to lie. The role is difficult because you’re essentially just holding it temporarily and trying to maintain relationships with people. I might have been more direct if I knew I had full authority.
“There have been changes along the way, and it’s been challenging, but it’s been a learning experience. I’ve learned a lot, and I believe you gain more from these tough moments. It’s definitely been an interesting four months.”