HAIL SEZER

HOW HULL FC ARE GETTING THE BEST OUT OF VETERAN AUSSIE AS MODEST CAPTAIN HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR FOCUS

- By DAN TOMLINSON

FEW eyebrows were raised when Hull FC confirmed the signing of Aidan Sezer for 2025, but the half-back has been turning heads ever since.

In his element, the veteran Australian has returned to Super League with a bang. Leading a resurgent Hull outfit, Sezer has both trust and freedom on his side - and that allows him to play his best rugby league.

Not pigeonholed to playing on just the one edge, Sezer, who turns 34 next month, is instead roaming around the field, akin to an old-school number seven, with head coach John Cartwright allowing his playmaker to pop up where the opportunity arises and lead the side.

It’s a dynamic working well, and it’s spearheaded by perhaps Hull's biggest component: John Asiata. The loose-forward was the first big piece of Richie Myler’s recruitment drive, with everything, as expected, centred off his play.

Taking the first receiver role, Asiata lets both Sezer and half partner Cade Cust play wider and on either edge, and it’s having the desired effect, with plenty of Hull's tries this year featuring that growing link.

But for Sezer, humbler than most, it’s a combination still in its infancy and one, with Amir Bourouh and Will Pryce completing a new-look spine, that has yet to hit its highest gear.

Speaking to Hull Live, Sezer said: “Hopefully, there's a lot more to come. Johnny is a smart player. He gets us around the field, and he’s one of our leaders, so the more times he has his hands on the ball, the more effective we're going to be as a team.

“For me, it’s always about what's best for the team. Hopefully we can keep improving on what we've done so far, and I’m sure we will.

“He just adds composure to us, Johnny - he’s an experienced player. He’s won trophies before, and you trust players like that around you. He’s our vice captain, and he’s someone we lean on in those big moments.