John Cartwright has challenged Hull FC to hit the ground running with a statement performance in front of a bumper crowd against Bradford Bulls.

The Black and Whites had to wait until July for their first home win of 2025 and that poor record ultimately cost them a play-off place.

Saturday's MKM Stadium clash with Bradford offers an early chance to show the strides made during the winter months.

"You want to see what you've practised in the off-season when there are actually two points up for grabs," said Cartwright.

"We want to show our fans where we are, where we sit and what playing in front of them means.

"It won't be easy; games early on in the season are always tough. There are a lot of reasons for Bradford to come here and perform. We know we've got to be at our very best."

The Bulls – four-time champions in their previous incarnation – are back in Super League for the first time in 12 years.

Kurt Haggerty has had only a matter of months to assemble a top-level squad but Cartwright believes he has done a good job.

Hull were big winners against Salford in the Challenge Cup. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Hull were big winners against Salford in the Challenge Cup. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

"They're very strong on paper," he said. "They're as strong as anyone.

"They're stacked with NRL experience and Super League experience. I suppose they sit a little bit where we sat last year in that no one expects a lot from them.

"It would be a major concern if we as a club and a team thought anything other than them coming here and being super competitive and being hard to beat.

"It's going to be a tough game. It's their first year back in Super League and they've got so much to play for.

"There's going to be a massive crowd and a big occasion so the last thing we can do is take them for anything less than fierce competitors."