Hull FC coach Simon Grix gave a firm answer when asked about Derek Beaumont's recent social media comments. The Leigh Leopards owner posted last weekend that he will put up a 'legal fight' for Hull to get relegated should they finish bottom of Super League, with the IMG era coming into effect from 2025—a system voted for by rugby league's professional clubs.
Indicting there is no base for that 'fight,' Grix simply pointed to democracy, with clubs now judged on a grading system based on five key pillars. That will see Hull, who stand tall off the field with a provisional Grade A license, in the topflight regardless of where they finish, with Grix saying the matter should be as concrete as that.
Beaumont's comments, meanwhile, come after several digs and jibes at Hull this year, all of which have stemmed after the club signed Leigh Leopards loose-forward John Asiata on a three-year deal. Beaumont called Hull 'desperate' after that signing and has since labelled them 'embarrassing' and accused them of 'clearing the decks.'
However, Grix, taking a no prisoners stance, is happy to let him crack on. He said: "I know Derek from the John Asiata situation; there's been a bit of an issue there, but I believe, to my knowledge, the IMG system and how we're doing things was voted in. I really don't understand why it's a talking point, to be honest. If something was voted in, it's not an issue. I don't know how Derek voted, but that's how it is.
"Derek is entitled to his opinion, and I understand the argument of promotion and relegation; it's British sport, and I've heard it all before, but again, I got back to the beginning of the year, and if everyone sits around a table and they put a vote in, and everyone yays and nays it, then the results are the results. I really don't see how it's a talking point."
Grix also commented on the recent fixture changes, which now see Wigan Warriors, who are looking to clinch the league leaders shield, hosting Salford Red Devils on Thursday night and his own Hull FC side taking on Catalans Dragons on Saturday afternoon. However, the coach is not expecting any change of mindset for his Black and Whites players, who will know exactly what they need to do to better London Broncos' result at Warrington Wolves on Friday night and avoid the wooden spoon.
"It'd be nice for everyone to kick off at the same time so we're all playing to win," Grix said. "But at the same time, we're not making those rules and the choices on that. For us, I don't think it changes anything. Yes, there's a number there that we have to be looking at, but at the same time, we need to just concentrate on ourselves."
He added: "I've seen that Salford have put out what you'd argue is a weakened team but Hull KR did it last year, the round before the Challenge Cup final. I think it's a coaches prerogative. Those lads are in there to be first-team players.
"You just have to look after your own house, I suppose. There will be games throughout the year, not for us this year, but Wigan, for example, if they didn't get the league leaders, they could look back and go: 'That came against Hull; we were off.' I'm sure anyone could look back and see that game where they could have made their lives easier. It is what it is. I think they will all just get on with it as professionally as they can. I'm sure they are all going out to get the win."
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