We can be big play-off force says Giants coach Brown
Sep 14 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
We can be big play-off force!
“That could prove important. But the main thing is that we’ll be going there on the back of a very good win and with our confidence high.”
Victory was achieved without injury-victims Kevin Brown, Simon Finnigan and Danny Kirmond – who are out for the season – and Jamahl Lolesi, whose fitness is being monitored daily as he tries to recover from a stress fracture of the foot.
Also missing yesterday were prop Keith Mason and hooker Scott Moore, who were stood down from the squad for disciplinary reasons.
And Brown has not ruled out the duo missing the trip to Saints at this stage.
“It was not a tough decision to stand them down for this game,” said Brown.
“The inquiry should be finished early in the week and I’ll be having a big say in the outcome of that investigation.”
Although Moore is currently suspended by his club, he is still widely expected to be named in the Super League Dream Team, which is announced later today and could also include Giants teammate Brett Hodgson.
Stephen Wild is the only Giants player to have earned a place in the team before.
Meanwhile, with the top eight now confirmed, the opening week’s matches and the play-off format will be as follows:
Friday, September 18: Qualifying play-off – Leeds v Hull KR (8pm) (winners through to semi-finals, losers to preliminary semi-finals).
Saturday, September 19: Qualifying play-off – St Helens v Huddersfield (6pm) (winners through to semi-finals, losers to preliminary semi-finals).
Saturday, September 19: Elimination play-off – Wakefield v Catalans Dragons (8pm) (losers go out).
Sunday, September 20: Elimination play-off – Wigan v Castleford (7pm) (losers go out).
Friday, September 25: Preliminary semi-final (losers of qualifying play-off against winners of elimination play-off).
Saturday, September 26: Preliminary semi-final (losers of qualifying play-off against winners of elimination play-off).
Friday, October 2: Semi-final (winners of first qualifying play-off against winners of preliminary semi-final).
Saturday, October 3: Semi-final (winners of second qualifying play-off against winners of preliminary semi-final).
Saturday, October 10: Super League Grand Final, Old Trafford.
