Brett Hodgson column: Facing old friends and Melbourne Storm news a big shock

Apr 23 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Brett Hodgson

FACING Crusaders on Sunday is going to be another very strange experience for me.

Although I have to admit it’s one I am slowly getting used to.

Every week when I take to the field for the Giants, I seem to come up against some of my former teammates from back in the

Australian NRL.

There were three of my old playing colleagues in the Hull KR team last week.

But on Sunday when we head to Wrexham I’ll be up against seven or eight of my former pals, and that’s certainly a personal record for me.

Due to previous experience, I know this won’t affect the way I play this weekend, but I am looking forward to meeting up with some of my good mates – after we’ve beaten them, of course!

However, I know that’s not going to be easy.

Another big advantage of knowing so many of the Crusaders so well is that I know what excellent players they are.

All of the signings the club have made are quality ones, and Brian Noble has done a wonderful job getting together such an excellent team in such a short length of time.

We know, therefore, that we’re going to have to play to our very best to guarantee success.

After producing such a rock-solid display to beat Hull KR last weekend we have to make sure we build on that in the games we still have ahead.

And if the forwards continue to set such a magnificent platform, then I don’t see that as being a problem at all.

We had a fantastic pack last year, but with the addition of David Fa’alogo (pictured above) and Lee Gilmour we’re now even better.

I simply can’t emphasise enough how great it is to play behind forwards like this