I put this on the VT on the thread asking teams to rate their team vis a vis others so for each position it needs to be looked at in relation to other teams strength in these positions. Would be interested in peoles views.

Huddersfield Giants in my view


Full Back 10/10
With Brett Hodgson reigning MOS and talisman we have probably the best FB in the competition his main competition being from Greenshields and Webb. The advantage that we have is that we have Cudjoe at back up he seems to be playing well .


Wingers 7/10
Probably our weakest position. Hodgson occupies one wing and whilst being solid is not spectacular. Cudjoe on the other looks good but with him going to full back we have had to swap players around a bit. Time for one of the kids to step up and make a mark

Centres 8/10
Whatuira and Lolesi have been excellent this year. Solid in defence and exciting in attack. However it is Lawrence he has caught the eye with his defensive play. I still compare him to Gary Connolly in defence. If he can develop the attacking skills will really kick on.

Half Backs 7/10

Brown has been outstanding at 6. taking on the line and improving his kicking no end. Robinson is playing well but looks more like a hooker at 6, quick breaks, runs from Dummy half rather than an organising creative no 7. Grix has provided good cover. Brough would improve this position no end.

Props 8.5/10
Losing Mason at the start of the season had us all in a state of panic. We only had 4 props and one was a pumped up second row. But Larne Patrick has been in stunning form. 3 tries in 5 games is a good strike rate. We have Eorl and Griffin which give us plenty of grunt and go forward. My only concern is if we get a few more injuries.

Hooker 9.5/10
I would argue Lunt has been the best hooker so far in SL. With faiumu, Drew and Robinson providing back up we have a variety of styles, skills and back up in this position.

Second Row/Loose Forward 9/10
Gilmour and Fa alogo have been outstanding and seem to be getting better every game. Add in faiumu and Aspinwall we have 4 players who all have made an impact this year. If that is strong enough how will Steven Wild and Danny Kirmond get back in the team.

Squad Depth
We genuinely have a superb squad this year. Not indavidually great players but all of whom play as a team and do not provide a weak link. Never have i seen a Giants team with as much quality in the squad. At the begining of the season we have had Hodgson, Mason, Drew, Wild and Kirmond out injured. 5 first team players yet we have hardly missed them in fact of those only Hodgson would be likely to come back into the team straight away. Competition for places should keep all players on their toes.

Coach 10/10 the best in Sl at the minute.

Chairman 10/10 Ken Davy. had a vision had a plan and is now making it pay.

I would agree with most of your rateings, except the wingers, we dont have the flash wing men of other clubs but we do have 2 of the safest pairs of hands in Hodgson and Cudjoe and they are playing the style they have been told to play, we do have some good youngsters in the team and maybe it would be a good time to blood a couple off them over the season whilst we have injury's to key outside backs. my rating for the wings 8.5/10

Ref Wingers:

A subject close to my heart!

Both D. Hodgson and Cudjoe have played FB. Look at how Warrington are playing at times this season with effectively two full backs and you will see this is a natural progression of where we are going with wingers.

Peter Fox at Hull KR is supposed to be a flyer but he was quickly chased down by Wakefield last week. Kevin Penny was a traditional out and out winger but was soon found out in defence and targeted. There is no longer a requirement for a speedster - it's better to get 40 metres and a controlled PTB than 80m upfield and being thrown into touch.

just a thought but Durham Giant forgot to include 2 other very important elements,

Coaching staff, All very good but as you go down the ranking you lose a little faith in some, Browny, Balloo, Slicker and Bumper Deffo 10/10 the rest Cook etc need more big game experience. 6.5 /10

other clubs have coaching staff coaching in the 18's and 21's comp that would walk into any championship club and i do know that a number of them have had successfull stints in charge of SL clubs (Mainly as cartaker coach)


Secondly and Most importantly you forgot our 18th man!!!! US!

not one to speculate and blow my own trumpet but i do think we are improving and speakng to some of the players that have been at the club for a period of time the pre and post match support is now ranked as Awsome at times. i'll give us 8/10 and ask what other people think to this years supporters ??????

The fans are definitely geting better and it is great at away games when we get our singing heads on BUT it was meant to be in comparison with oter teams and where we compare with them i definitely would not be putting us ahead of Wigan or the two Hull clubs.


You are right about the rest of the coaching staff.