As soon as Hull FC announced the departure of Brett Hodgson, it was only a matter of time before Tony Smith's name was thrown into the hat.
Although nothing is set in stone yet, the former Hull KR boss is the heavy favourite to take over the reins at the MKM Stadium, especially after speaking openly about his desire to land the job. If you take your red and white hat off, it's clear to see why Smith and why Hull FC want this move to happen.
The Australian still lives in the area and has openly said he is ready to return to rugby league and Hull FC are in desperate need of a proven coach to come in and shake things up in West Hull, with rumours spreading that more exits both on and off the field could happen once they announce the new boss.
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Of course, if Smith does make a move to Hull FC, it will hurt a lot of Rovers fans, not like Smith. Until he announced he wouldn't be renewing his deal with KR, Smith was adored by supporters for the changes and development he had made for the club, reaching back-to-back semi-finals in consecutive seasons and bringing in star players such as George King, Frankie Halton and Elliot Minchella. However, as much as it will sting to see Smith wearing the FC colours, in all honesty, Rovers fans shouldn't let it affect them too much.
It obviously shows Adam Pearson has seen the way Smith changed Rovers' ethos and wants a bit of that for his own team, and at the end of the day, it's a job for Tony Smith. Forget the team and the rivalry, it's a job.
Smith set the groundwork in place at Sewell Group Craven Park and heading into 2023, Rovers have an abundance of talent locked in for several years, with the core group of players still having plenty of years left in their legs. What Smith achieved during his time with KR should never be forgotten, but it was time for a change. Comparing the current situation at FC and the one at Rovers when he took over, it feels like the magnitude of his latest task will be a lot harder than the one he had in East Hull, and the big question is can Smith work with Adam Pearson and James Clark and galvanize a side who have been labelled rotten by their own fans.
Back to Rovers, there's no point worrying about what Smith is going to do at Hull FC, it's about the journey this club is about to embark on with Willie Peters, Danny McGuire, Brett Delaney and Dave Hodgson. For so many years the aim has been to beat the other more times in a season, and honestly, that needs to change for Rovers to become successful.
The Robins own their own ground, have some rising talent in the academy and are now in a position to lure British talents like James Batchelor and Louis Senior to the club after years of scrambling around the cast-offs at the end of the season. Last weekend's derby showed Rovers fans this side has plenty of fight in them, and with more signings expected to come in before 2023 begins, the focus shouldn't be on a former coach who could join their biggest rivals. It should be on the exciting prospect of Willie Peters making his stamp on this club and what the future may hold for the Red and Whites.
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