JOHN Cartwright does not believe Hull FC’s Betfred Super League play-off hopes were dealt a blow by Saturday’s shock 30-14 defeat at home to Huddersfield Giants.
A week after pulling off a stunning 32-12 win away to reigning champions Wigan Warriors, the Black and Whites were booed off at the MKM Stadium as they came unstuck against the 11th-placed Giants.
The defeat meant Hull FC missed the chance to move back into the top six ahead of Thursday night winners Wakefield Trinity, although head coach Cartwright knows there is still all to play for with seven games of the regular season remaining.
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.@Giantsrl with an impress victory in Round 20 💪#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/tiF6WtWevq
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 26, 2025
“I’ve said a million times, I’m not concerned about who we play, it’s more about us,” Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside.
“We build, we build, we build and then we take a few steps back. It’s been that sort of season.
“Yes, we’d have loved to have won this one and a few others as well, but the reality is we’re one point out of the six with 14 points to chase, so that’s how we’ll be approaching it.”
Cartwright was particularly frustrated by Hull FC’s struggles in possession rearing their head again as Huddersfield claimed only their fourth win of the Super League season.
The hosts managed just a 69 percent completion rate, making 14 errors compared to six from the visitors, and the former Australia international hopes next week’s bye-week will offer them a chance for a bit of a reset heading into the final rounds of the year.
“Just looking at the performance, I think we were more in hope than going out with a killer attitude,” Cartwright said.
“I can’t fault the way they trained and their preparation. The talk was good, but we didn’t back it up.
“Errors, again, were through the roof and they didn’t [make errors].
“Defending our try-line, even when we haven’t been winning, is something we’ve been really proud about but it wasn’t there. The week off coming this week maybe comes at the right time.”