After a successful interim phase, Simon Grix got his first chance as a head coach in professional sports. Whether this will be the case at Hull FC remains to be seen, but the former Ireland international is happy to be at the helm for as long as necessary.
Four-time Super League Grand Final winner Brian McDermott has been mentioned as one of Tony Smith’s possible successors. Grix’s old Warrington Wolves teammate Lee Briers, Castleford Tigers assistant Danny McGuire, former State of Origin player Dean Young and former London Broncos player Chad Randall – the latter two now NRL assistant coaches – are set to join everyone be in the squad. So.
However, as far as the 38-year-old is concerned, he and his interim assistant Francis Cummins will continue to hold the fort and continue Friday’s Betfred Super League game at his former club Warrington, a game that will only be broadcast live Sky Sports.
“Everything could change – who knows?” Grix said Sky Sports. “It’s not my decision, I like to come and do my job and that’s what I came here for.”
“It’s a good experience for me too, so I’ll keep coming back and if I get a pat on the back, someone else will come in, that’s fine.”
“If not, the best thing to do is step forward and we’ll just continue to do our best to improve.”
Grix joined the Black and Whites at the end of 2023 as Smith’s assistant after making his name as a coach during a five-year spell as manager of hometown club Halifax Panthers, which culminated in the 1895 Cup victory at Wembley last year. However, three weeks ago he was given temporary charge following the departure of his former Warrington boss.
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A 58-0 away defeat to St Helens, the second game in a row in which Hull FC had reached a half-century of points and fourth overall in 2024, was the toughest introduction to life at the top of Super League too for the former back row.
Despite also being beaten 18-12 by Leeds Rhinos at the MKM Stadium last Sunday, Grix were encouraged by the overall performance of the hosts and particularly the younger players who were pushed to the forefront due to injuries and suspensions the first months of the season.
Jack Charles, the 18-year-old scrum-half, was playing just his sixth game for Hull FC, while 18-year-old utility player Logan Moy featured in his third and 19-year-old winger Lewis Martin scored two tries, his tenth.
Grix are also delighted with the performances of the academy graduates, but will call on long-term injured player Jake Trueman and recently signed Tom Briscoe to strengthen the squad for the trip to Warrington and believe these experiences will serve them well future, even if they came under adverse circumstances.
Simon Grix brought glory to Wembley in Halifax in 2023
“They learn a lot,” Grix said. “Our young guys have done really well and they are making it difficult.
“It’s not the best time to be competing against so many little kids, but they definitely learn from it and suffer from it because they’re all local young lads.”
“In a year or two when they are physically fit we will see where they are, but for now it is definitely a valuable experience for them.”
Hull FC fans showed their appreciation for their team’s courageous performance against Leeds with a standing ovation after the full-time whistle, but the Grix side are now forced out due to repairs to the pitch at the MKM Stadium, which they share with Hull City football club play four games in a row.
Lewis Martin scored two tries for Hull FC in their defeat to Leeds
After returning to the club on Friday, Grix made 179 appearances in nine seasons – including two Grand Final defeats – and the Black and Whites travel to the London Broncos, the only team to have beaten Hull FC so far in 2024, followed narrowly team above them at Castleford Tigers and rounded off their away time with a trip to play-off hopefuls Huddersfield Giants.
Grix admits that having to spend almost a month away from the comforts of his home and without the support of his own fans isn’t ideal, but understands the situation and is taking it in stride, just as he has with everything else that comes his way has happened since I took the reins.
“We got an ovation from the fans there for that performance, it was better than ever, so it’s probably not ideal to miss out on it at the moment,” Grix said. “We’ll move on, but as always, onto the next thing.”
“I thought that despite the result we took a step forward in our effort against St Helens and Leeds were keen to be better for longer and I thought we were.”
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Highlights of Salford Red Devils’ 17-12 victory over Warrington Wolves in Round 9 of the Betfred Super League season.
“Our own mistakes didn’t help us at times, but we weren’t surprised on the effort front.”
Warrington Wolves v Hull FC can be seen exclusively live on Sky Sports Action on Friday May 3rd from 7.30pm (kick-off 8pm). Watch and stream every Super League game in 2024 live on Sky Sports with NOW.
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