Herman Ese'ese makes Hull FC pledge as encouraging John Asiata connection shared

Herman Ese'ese has enjoyed a strong first year at Hull FC, but the challenge now is to get to the next level. That’s the prop forward’s pledge, who will move into the second season of an original three-year contract in 2025. A double award winner, Ese’ese is both the club’s Players and Supporters’ Player of the Year after a stellar campaign in Super League.

Joining the club from the NRL, his efforts have been recognised, but a warning has now been sent out. Already Hull’s top carrier of the ball, the 29-year-old made the most hit-ups, tackle busts, meters, and offloads in the season gone by, but this is just the start. The goal now is to get even better, both individually and collectively as a team, and ensure that Hull are a more competitive and connected outfit next year.



"I'm pretty happy with how I went this year," Ese’ese , speaking exclusively to Hull Live, said. "My main goal was to try and be consistent week in and week out, and believe I did that. Of course, it wasn't the season we all wanted, but personally, I am happy with how I went.

"To get the two awards means a lot; to be recognised for how you've been going from both the playing group and also all of the supporters, it sits close to my heart. When I first got here, one of the main focuses was first and foremost to gain the playing group's respect and then the fans. That comes with just being a good bloke, training hard, playing hard, being a professional around the club, and playing good footy for the fans.

They spend their hard-earned money every weekend to come and watch us play, and I try to repay that with good performances." Ese'ese continued: "I’ve really enjoyed it. My partner and I have really settled here.

It's been great; everyone has been really welcoming. Hull is a great city to live in, and I'm really happy, but I know in myself that I can definitely go up another level next year, especially with the blokes coming into the team. Hopefully, it will lift up my game, as well as all of the playing group, but I'm confident I can get to the next level.

"I'm still young, and I believe I've still got my best footy ahead of me. I play in the middle, and all of the middlemen don't reach their peak until their early to mid-30s. I still think I've got a lot to give, and I can definitely go to the next level with those new players around me.

" Signing nine new players for the 2025 season, Hull have brought in the likes of Jordan Rapana, Aidan Sezer, and Zak Hardaker, but for Ese’ese, there’s one recruit that stands out: John Asiata. The 31-year-old has signed on a three-year marquee deal and will transform the way Hull play next year from the loose-forward position. He’s also a player Ese’ese knows well from their time in the NRL, having first met over a decade ago.

"You look at the blokes that are coming in; they're all experienced, and they've won a lot in their career," Ese’ese continued. "That's what we need to help improve the culture and the mentality, and that will then change how we run out on a weekend. We will definitely improve next year, and we've got the chance to build up those little connections come November.

"But yeah, I've known John for years. I've played both with and against him since we first played under-20s in 2013. It started from there.

When he was at the Cowboys and I was at the Broncos, we played against each other. That happened throughout our whole NRL career. We also played at Samoa together.

"I've got a good friendship with John, and we've been talking a lot ever since he signed. We're excited about next year, how we can go about things, and what we can do. John is that third man in the middle, and he can connect to the spine.

I think that's really important. "You only have to look at other teams across Super League; they have a ball-playing lock, and it really helps with the spine and takes a lot of pressure off them. It brings us middles onto the ball as well, so there's a lot of connection there.

John is an outstanding ball player. He's been one of the best ball players in the NRL as well, so he will definitely help us in that department. He's a leader too.

He will be great for us." Determined to get better and improve his game further, Ese’ese is focused on a big second season at Hull. For the prop, the key now is for the team to put the disappointment of this year behind them and move on.

Completing their reviews this week, the focus is on pre-season and moving forward into a brighter future. "This year is in the past now, and we've got to move towards next season," Ese’ese added. "That's the main focus now.

We're disappointed, of course, with how we went. It wasn't what we planned, but we've done our review, and we don't want to dwell on it. We want to work hard now and focus on these exciting times ahead with all these new blokes coming in to help our young players.

We will definitely be a better team next year." Cl ick here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel.