John Cartwright has praised Hull FC duo Cade Cust and Denive Balmforth for stepping up this pre-season. The two players have been in training since day one and have impressed their new head coach with their application and conduct.
Of course, Cust has worked with Cartwright before at NRL outfit Manly Sea Eagles, while Balmforth impressed the Australian with his performances last season, which went some way to the player securing a new one-year deal for 2025.
Balmforth, who played 15 times for the first-team last season, has now continued to increase his standards in training, taking an off-season trip to Thailand where he underwent Muay Thai sessions in a bid to improve his fitness levels. That has paid off, with Cust too catching the eye after his off-season move from Salford Red Devils.
Cust has trained in the halves, and with Jordan Abdull a doubt for the start of the season with a knee issue, which begins with Challenge Cup action before the Super League opener away at Catalans Dragons on February 14, there is a chance for him to start alongside Aidan Sezer in the halves, with Balmforth perhaps working in tandem with another new signing, Amir Bourouh, in the hooker position.
“Cade has spent the whole off-season in the halves,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “He’s been a half-back growing up, and he knows the role really well. He’s been really good for us. He’s played at NRL level in that position, so it’s not a worry. He’s a really good clubman, is Cade, and he’s really enthusiastic. He’s really enjoying his footy at the moment.
“Denive has also been really impressive. I don’t think he’s missed a minute of the pre-season so far. He’s working very hard. He went away at the end of last season, and he came back in good shape. He’s still only young, and he’s got a lot to learn and a lot in front of him, but he’s a conscientious kid. He works hard on his game, and he’s certainly got a lot of ability.”
Hull resumed their pre-season programme this week after 10 days off over the Christmas and New Year period. Back at it, they are first in action at Doncaster next Sunday, with a young side expected to feature in South Yorkshire. They then face Castleford in Joe Westerman’s testimonial match on February 1, before competitive action begins the week after with lower league opposition in the Challenge Cup.
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