NATHAN BROWN has hailed the overall standard of Super League ahead of Friday’s Giants v Warrington top-of-the-table Galpharm clash.
Second-placed Huddersfield host the leaders knowing a victory would take them back to the summit.
The Giants moved within striking distance after being forced to dig deep to secure a 34-10 home win over bottom club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
But at the same time the Wolves were suffering a shock 22-20 home defeat to fellow strugglers Catalan Dragons, who had won just two of their opening seven top-flight fixtures.
And Brown believes this is a reflection of how much stronger Super League has become, both at the top and at the bottom.
“Last weekend’s games once again showed how much the competition has improved as a whole,” said Brown.
“In particular, some of the results showed how much tougher the bottom half of the competition has become.
“We had to work really hard to get on top of Wakefield, while Warrington slipped up against Catalan.
“On top of that, Salford look like being a bit of a dark horse after making a very shaky start, although Crusaders got a good win there on Saturday now they’ve got some really important players back after sorting out some visa problems.
“They have all shown how they’re capable of putting in a very good performance on their day, and it’s definitely a case that nobody can take a win for granted.”
But while Brown is impressed with the quality now on show in the lower half of Super League, he also believes the top half of the table is more competitive than ever.
“There are now more teams than ever before who genuinely stand a chance of doing really well in Super League,” he added.
“Not too long ago, it was just Leeds and St Helens battling it out at the top. Not any more.
“Wigan then came along, and they’ve been followed by Warrington and now us at the Giants. We now do believe we have a genuine chance of doing something good in the competition.
“Then there’s Hull KR, who I’m sure will start to get themselves back into the fight when Michael Dobson and Clint Newton get back from injury.
“Their neighbours at Hull FC are also a better team than their current League position suggests and I’m sure they, too, will also start to pick up their form.
“And then there’s Castleford, whose performances have come as a breath of fresh air to the competition.
“Obviously, we hope these sides don’t prove a major threat to us as the season progresses.
“But having more teams battling it out at the top is certainly great for the competition and would make any success even more deserved.”
