Elliot Minchella: Hull KR captain says ban was ‘difficult to accept’

Unlike many who reach the pinnacle of the domestic game in the northern hemisphere having plied their trade exclusively in Super League or the NRL, Minchella came to Hull KR in 2020 after playing extensively in the Championship with Sheffield Eagles and Bradford Bulls.

In his four seasons with the Robins, however, he has experienced some extreme ups and downs as the club has bounced back from finishing bottom of the table in his first season, to reaching the 2023 Challenge Cup final and then tussling with Wigan Warriors for this season’s League Leaders’ Shield.

“It [the Grand Final] is an occasion I’ve never played in and a new one for me but I’m proud to be part of it,” he said.

“It’s a new ground and I’ll go into it with enjoyment and soak it all up. I’ll be smiling if I’ve got a ring on my finger come full-time but I’m looking forward to playing again and getting out there with my teammates.”

Under Willie Peters, Hull KR have transformed themselves into one of the most formidable teams of the current era, losing just twice at Craven Park in 2024 with only one of those defeats coming inside 80 minutes.

Despite their impressive form of late, they are yet to lift any trophies to match their efforts, something Minchella is aware of.

“We’ve had a good year so far, we had a top two finish but we haven’t won any silverware,” he said.

“We’ve come up short on two occasions with the other trophies that have been on offer for us and we’ve not achieved.

“There’s one more to go at and we’ve got our hat in the ring.”