Outgoing Hull FC coach John Cartwright expressed his desire to remain in charge until the end of the season, despite the club's decision not to renew his contract. Cartwright's side suffered a 24-14 defeat to St Helens in the Betfred Super League.
The Australian coach revealed he felt 'betrayed and disrespected' by the club's decision and was still seeking a clear reason for his dismissal. Cartwright was emotional when discussing his future, stating he had been a 'blubbering mess' after speaking with his players about his impending exit. The coach oversaw a significant improvement in results since his arrival, with the team's win total rising to 13 in 2025. Despite the defeat, Cartwright praised his players' performance, particularly in the early stages of the match.
The visitors, St Helens, recovered from a sluggish start to secure a convincing victory, with late tries from Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson sealing the win.