Cade Cust hasn't joined Hull FC just to make up the numbers, with the half-back having his eye firmly on the prize. For the 26-year-old Australian, that's finals football and nothing less, with the former Manly Sea Eagles star gearing up for a big year at the Black and Whites.

Cutting a relaxed and composed figure, Cust is measured in his approach. Training since day one this pre-season, he knows a lot of hard work is still ahead, with his target no different from any other Super League player: to make the top six.

That's Cust's ambition, who has tasted silverware with Wigan Warriors before and who also featured in a Salford Red Devils side that comfortably made the finals last season. Now one of nine new signings at Hull, the goal is to mirror that success.

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"I play the game to win and to play finals," Cust, speaking exclusively to Hull Live, said. "That will be the goal for us: to make the finals. We have to put ourselves in a position to play finals, and then, as everyone knows, anything can happen. That's our goal for us, and then we can reassess from there."

To do that, Hull know their combinations need to click this season, but Cust, who John Cartwright confirmed to Hull Live will start the season, is comfortable with the pressure. There's confidence, but not arrogance, with the player, who can also double up as a hooker, psyched to play alongside newly appointed club captain Aidan Sezer in the halves, with Sezer taking the 'general' role and Cust left to focus on his own individual strengths.

"I've been really enjoying it in the halves with Aidan," he continued. "He has got so much experience, and he knows how to control a game. He's been around the game for that long. I've just been soaking up from him as well. It's been a good 10/11 weeks of training so far.

"I'm a running half, and Aidan lets me control what I do and play to my strengths. My running game is my best attribute, and also defensively as a six, I like to think I'm a stronger defender than most other halves in the competition. I back myself against any back rower.

"It's just been natural for me. I'm most comfortable at six, so I'm looking forward to playing on the right side of the field and forming a partnership with Jed (Cartwright), Zak (Hardaker), and Harvey (Barron). It should be good. I'm really looking forward to the season.

"Hopefully, I can string together a lot of games together consecutively, with limited injuries; touch wood, that'll be my ideal season. I want to get my body in the best shape and hit the ground running here."

Gearing up for a new campaign, there's been no secret of a strenuous pre-season programme under Cartwright. Delivering exactly what was needed, the hope now is that Hull's players will be fitter, tougher, and more resilient.

"It's been really good," Cust said on pre-season. "I've been with Carty before—he was my assistant coach while I was at Manly. I've worked with him before. Training has been tough, but it's also been enjoyable, and I can't wait for the season to start.

"He's got a hard head on his shoulders, Carty, but you expect that. In training and stuff, he is very stern, but you just soak it up and work hard. I've really enjoyed it.

"He's definitely delivered an NRL-kind of pre-season. I think a lot of the boys probably needed it, especially from reports that other pre-seasons might not have been as tough, but all the boys are now the fittest they've been in a while. That should put us in a good position come round one."

Signing a two-year deal, Cust made no secret of what appealed to him at Hull FC. Obviously, linking up with Cartwright again was a big factor, but so was the young talent at the club, with the Aussie now eager to build combinations and link up with those talents.

Asked for driving factors behind his decision to sign for Hull, Cust's answer was to the point. "The younger boys," he said. "There's a lot of youth in the squad, and when you see guys like Logan Moy, there's definitely an upside to what we're doing.

"It should be a really good season. I know Hull have had a couple of years now where they haven't been where they wanted to be, but having that experience around those young players should put us in good stead. They were very good last year, those young boys in difficult circumstances. Charlesy (Jack Charles); he was only 18, and he played so many games. He's very attacking-minded, and then Moy's pace is just outstanding.

"We've also got the big, tall wingers, Lewis (Martin) and Harvey (Barron). They've got so much energy, and that can only help us. And then when you've got guys like Zak (Hardaker) in the centre with loads of experience, it just helps bring it all together. Hopefully, we can all keep learning and take a big positive step into the season ahead."

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