John Cartwright has explained the selection process behind Aidan Sezer becoming Hull FC’s captain for the 2025 season. The entire Black and Whites squad had a say in the process, with the coaching staff also chipping in.

After asking questions on a range of categories, they then narrowed the voting down to a final four, with John Asiata appointed vice captain and Sezer captain. Of course, both players have worked with Cartwright before in Australia, with Asiata winning an NRL Premiership with the coach at North Queensland Cowboys back in 2015.

Meanwhile, Sezer debuted in the NRL under Cartwright at Gold Coast Titans, with the latter outlining how he always knew the half-back, who has almost 250 career appearances to his name after spells at the Canberra Raiders, Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, and Wests Tigers, would step up to become a leader.

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Addressing his players in a video posted by Hull FC on social media, Cartwright spoke of his growing passion and pride for the club. He said: "It’s a pretty appropriate time that we’re getting our team photo, and we’re getting towards the end of our off-season that we announce our vice captain of the club. It’s a huge honour for me to be able to present this.

"I spoke briefly about the history of this club when I first started, and I’m still learning that history, but I feel it every time I walk into the club and I look at the photos, and just walking here through the stadium, it makes it even more real. It says on our badge; the club has been going since 1865. That’s a long, long time, and there’s a lot of good people that have walked in our shoes since 1865 to make sure that this club is still here.

"As I said at the start, we’re looking forward, we’re moving forward, and that’s all what we’re going to be talking about, so for this group of men in this room, and ladies, the responsibility that we have to make sure all these people since 1865, who have made the club what it is, our ex-players, our fans, our members, and our sponsors, we’ve got a huge responsibility, and it’s a responsibility that I look forward to. I’m not scared of it, and I don’t shy away from it; it’s something that, as a group, we have to embrace and look forward to and get this club back to where it deserves to be."

Cartwright continued: "The selection process of the captain, I got some feedback from all you guys just before Christmas. I’ve spoken to the staff, and it was really pleasing to see that there were a lot of names mentioned across different categories that I asked you about. It came down to a final four, and there were two standouts.

"Our vice captain going into the year will be John Asiata, and again, it’s a huge honour and a great one for me to be able to present to someone who I had at the Titans when he was 21-year-old. I had him pencilled in and earmarked as a potential leader, and to be here all those years later, I’d like to present Aidan Sezer as the captain of Hull FC."

Sezer then addressed the Hull FC squad for the first time after becoming captain. The 33-year-old outlined the sort of skipper he wants to be, with approachability and leadership his two main focuses.

Sezer said: "Thanks Carty and the coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the responsibility to lead this prestigious club, this proud club. I think Carty touched on it before. What a responsibility we have as players, and especially me as captain leading you this year.

"I want to be 100% approachable to you boys, from the oldest player to the youngest boy in the room. I want to make sure I’m an open book; no man is a perfect human, but I’m always here to help, and I’ll do whatever it is for my teammates.

"I don’t have too much more to say, but I want to lead with my actions and do that every day at training, and then come game time we can do that as well. I just want to be 100% approachable. I’m looking forward to the year, and I can’t wait to prove everyone in this room right. Cheers boys."

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