Huddersfield Town captain Brett Hodgson's column: I will savour the day
Sep 10 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Brett Hodgson
TOMORROW’S game is going to be incredibly special for me.
For the last two seasons, I’ve been proud to lead out the Giants as the captain of this famous club.
During that time, I’m happy to report there have been far more ups than downs, and by quite some distance at that!
But I am fully aware that this weekend I’ll be leading out the Giants for the very last time at the Galpharm Stadium.
All being well, I’ll be doing the same for the next couple of weeks, but that won’t be on ‘home’ soil, and that’s why this play-off match against Crusaders is so significant.
I’d be lying if I said I won’t be feeling emotional at some stage tomorrow. I’ve left clubs before back in the Australian NRL and know how I feel on such occasions.
But what really brought it home to me how much I’m going to miss being the captain of the Giants came last weekend in Perpignan.
The support the fans gave me and the rest of the team at Catalans Dragons was absolutely amazing.
Seeing all those fans as we came out for the warm-up and then hearing them cheering at the end of the game is something I’ll never forget.
That in itself was pretty emotional, so I’m already bracing myself for tomorrow.
But I am confident I’ll be able to handle it.
What’s obviously more important than me playing my last home game for the Giants is that we’ve got a very important match to win, and one that won’t be easy.
From a personal point of view, I’m happy it’s going to be such a crucial and challenging contest, because it means I’ll need to focus 100% on the game and won’t have time to consider its added significance to me.
We’ve spent a fair bit of time this week watching them on tape and they are playing very well. Their performance to beat Hull KR at home was very impressive.
But – I know this is a really old cliche – tomorrow is all about us and the way we play.
We feel we’ve hit the play-offs at just the right time, and in just the right shape.
As far as I’m concerned, I’m better prepared myself for a few more emotional games for the Giants!
