Hull FC Grand Final squad

Peter Sharp admits he didn?t have the engage Super League Grand Final in his mind when he first took on the job as Hull FC coach.

The 52-year-old Australian arrived at the KC Stadium in April to join The Black and Whites after John Kear?s departure.

His first taste of engage Super League was an impressive home win over Wigan Warriors and he hasn?t looked back since - recording 14 league wins on the way to finishing second.

Sharp said: "It?s great to be in a final, but people ask me if that was my goal when I arrived ? I didn?t set any goals.

"When Kath Hetherington contacted me about the job I was delighted to talk to her. She simply asked if I?d like a shot and I thought ?I certainly would?.

"I spoke a lot to Richard Swain and guys like Jason Smith and Stephen Kearney who understood the club.

"Although I heard positive things I didn?t set any goals or aims, I just wanted to get in the place and work with the squad.

"It?s difficult for a coach to come in mid-season you can end up chasing your tail a bit, but I?ve enjoyed every minute of it. Early on it was all beer and skittles, I was waiting for us to lose a game to see the real character to this squad.

"We have had defeats to deal with and I?ve been impressed with the way we have responded. Plenty of credit must go to the rest of the coaching staff, they have all been marvellous.

"In fairness to the players they?ve worked very hard to a man since the day I got here and I?m very happy for them. This team probably hasn?t got the stars that other teams have got, but they work very hard for each other."

Sharp?s side displayed plenty of character in last Friday?s enthralling play-off final eliminator with Bradford Bulls as Hull clinched a Grand Final place front of more than 16,000 fans.

Now his attention turns to Powergen Challenge Cup holders St Helens ahead of Saturday?s game.

Speaking at the Old Trafford press conference Sharp admitted that Hull will go into the game as underdogs.

"You can certainly us a lot of superlatives when talking about St Helens, they are an excellent side," he said.

"Everyone knows about their dangers. They have already won the Challenge Cup, they finished top by eight points so obviously they will go into the game as favourites."

Hull FC 20-man squad: Briscoe, Carvell, Chester, Cooke, Dale, Dowes, Domic, G. Horne, R. Horne, Lee, McMenemy, King, Radford, Raynor, Swain, Tony, Washbrook, Wheeldon, Whiting, Yeaman.

Source: superleague.co.uk