Scott Grix has signed a new two-year Giants deal. The contract extension means the in-form 30-year-old full-back will remain at Huddersfield until the end of the 2016 season.
The Ireland World Cup star (pictured on the right) arrived at the Giants from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats five seasons ago during which time he has made 150 appearances in the claret and gold.
And he’s obviously hoping there’s a lot more still to come, starting with Saturday’s home Super League clash against bottom club London Broncos.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new deal and be able to stick around with my mates for a bit longer,” said Grix, who was a virtual ever-present as the Giants finished top of the table for the first time in 81 years last season to claim the Super League Leaders’ Shield.
“Over my time here we have made great strides as individuals, as a team and as a club and It’s great to know I can continue to be a part of this development as we look to keep on improving.
“We feel we’re starting to hit our straps once again after a shaky start to the season and we now know what it’s like to be around Super League at the business end of the year.
“We now know what frame of mind you need to be in and, as a group, we are a year further down the line and hopefully a year stronger when it comes to the play-offs.
“But in the very short term, I’m really looking forward to trying to help us pick up another win at home to London on Saturday, knowing my future has been secured for a couple more years.”
Scott Grix’s Giants’ influence, both on and off the field, were key to the club keeping hold of him for two more seasons.
That’s the big reason given by head coach Paul Anderson for tying the 30-year-old full-back down to a new deal which will extend his stay at Huddersfield to seven years and make him one of the club’s longest-serving players.
“Scott is a vital part of what we do and he’s a player who has managed to find a real high level of consistency in his game over the last two years,” said Anderson.
“One of the reasons he has got to that level is that he is very, very consistent in training as well.
“He is a player that did it tough in the early part of his career, having been here and there, but he’s found himself a home at Huddersfield and he is a good role model for our younger players at the club as he is the first on the training field and the last to leave.
“He is very meticulous in his approach and turns up with a good attitude to play well, and that sets an excellent example to all those around him.
“He is a very smart player, a very consistent player and a very good player for us.”
Those sentiments were echoed by the Giants managing director Richard Thewlis.
“Scott Grix is an outstanding professional player and person,“ he said. “He is a vastly-experienced full-back and very popular member of the squad, where his value is hugely appreciated.
“We are always talking here of players that have experienced and succeeded in big games as being the type we want in claret and gold.
“And for Grixy, few could argue that his outstanding individual try last season away at Wigan was a defining moment in our modern-day history, as it proved vital for us in claiming the Super League Leaders’ Shield for the first time.
“It was a truly memorable moment and the sort of moment he and his teammates are very capable of building upon.”