Huddersfield’s long-serving forward Eorl Crabtree (Centre) is hoping to get his hands on some elusive silverware tomorrow when the table-topping Giants host Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the penultimate round of Super League.
The Giants are a point in front of Warrington Wolves and need to win one of their last two matches to secure the league leaders’ shield for the first time. They would already be celebrating had St Helens, coached by former Huddersfield boss Nathan Brown, managed to beat the Wolves on Friday night but Crabtree is confident his side will not freeze on the big occasion.
“We can’t go into this game thinking it’s a Grand Final or anything,” he said. “It would be another step closer to one of the many things we want to achieve at the club. We don’t want to slip up now.”
The leaders’ shield has been denigrated by coaches and players alike who have their sights set on the bigger prize at Old Trafford but Crabtree insists his club would treasure it. “I would have agreed with them but when you’ve won absolutely nothing, it’s a pretty big deal,” he said.
“It proves how good we have been and how far we’ve come. I’m really impressed and happy that this season we’ve competed all the way through.
“We’re still waiting to taper off but the press seem to have stopped asking us about it which is quite amusing.
“I’m the only player who’s been relegated and promoted, going from the basement right to the top, and it’s pretty big for me.
“I’m really happy with the fact I decided to stay here until I win something and this puts me a step closer. I can probably retire at some point and look back and realise I actually did something.”