Here’s our review of the Huddersfield Giants 2016 Super League season.
League Record- Regular Season
Played: 23 Won: 6 Draw: 0 Lost: 17 For: 511 Against: 569 Points: 12
League Record- The Qualifiers
Played: 7 Won: 5 Draw: 0 Lost: 2 For: 257 Against: 166 Points: 10
League Position
After the regular season: 12th
After The Qualifiers: 3rd
Player of the Year
Leroy Cudjoe
Once again, Cudjoe swept the awards at the Giants’ end-of-season awards. He may not have as much pace as he used to but he formed a formidable partnership with Jermaine McGillvary over the past few years and has become an integral part of the Giants team.
Season Summary
A season to forget for Huddersfield. After a couple of years in the top half of the table, it really was a fall from grace at times. They have all of the components there but for some reason, it wasn’t clicking. Getting rid of coach Paul Anderson in June meant a clean slate going into the Qualifiers where they won 5 games. Injuries and retirements played a big part once again, causing the Giants to make signings during the season.
Talking Points
The Brierley Effect
He joined the Giants in March and injected youth into the set-up, playing 19 games. After the drama at Leigh, he needed to show what he was made of and when he got the chance, he excelled. Although he struggled to get in the team at times, with Jamie Ellis’ loan deal to Hull KR, 2017 will be his year to cement a place in the first team.
Strength in depth
Or lack of. Once the first-team players get injured, do they have the quality to be able to cover their stars? In 2016, this was a no. Whilst their youngsters may be talented, they are not quite ready to play Super League rugby on a weekly basis.
Under-performing
When the first-thirteen were present, they were far from their best. The core of the team was still there but not at their best. Unfortunately when the elder statesmen of the team aren’t at their best, it feeds onto the whole team. Across the board, every player could improve.
2017 Ins and Outs
Ins
Paul Clough
Dale Ferguson
Lee Gaskell
Jake Mamo
Darnell McIntosh
Alex Mellor
Shannon Wakeman
Outs
Jake Connor
Eorl Crabtree
Scott Grix
Larne Patrick
Joe Wardle
Kyle Wood
Jamie Ellis (loan)
Craig Huby
Josh Johnson
