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WHY VETERAN HARDAKER IS SO CONTENT, ON AND OFF THE FIELD, AT HULL

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Hull FC's Zak Hardaker has been around the block.

Now a veteran of 400 career games, he's seen it all, both good and bad, but that makes him all the wiser.

Now 33, he's on the straight and narrow. He's a family man and a player's player, and the two combined are bringing the best out of him.

One of several signings made by Richie Myler for 2025, Hardaker has arguably been the best of the lot.

Dependable wherever he's played, he comes up trumps, with the player hitting his groove on and off the field.

Simply put, he's been given the freedom to express and enjoy himself, doing what he loves, and it shows.

"Where I'm at at the minute with my life is right up there," Hardaker, speaking to the Mail, said. "I'm so happy away from the pitch. My life is really good.

"I'm really enjoying myself here. I think that's shown in my personality on and off the pitch. I've tried to lead on the pitch and at training I speak a lot. I've really enjoyed that.

"My life away from rugby as well is really good. I'm really happy and the two together have coincided. I've had a really enjoyable year so far. It's been good.

"It's always affected me, my life away from rugby, whether it's been good or bad. It's a big sign for me that, but I'm 33 now, I've got two kids, and a bit of maturity has come into play there. The wrongs and the things I've done wrong before when I was younger are in the past.