HUDDERSFIELD Giants will be crowned Super League minor champions if they win their remaining seven games!
But head coach Paul Anderson is focusing all his attention on Sunday’s testing trip to Hull FC.
Although the second-placed Giants still trail leaders Wigan Warriors by a point, the teams meet at the DW Stadium on Friday, August 9, in what could prove the title decider.
The gap at the top of the table was closed to just a solitary point after the Giants’ 60-16 home win over Catalan Dragons and Castleford’s shock 18-4 victory at Wigan on Friday night.
Third-placed Warrington also remain firmly in the title hunt, and if the top two were to slip up in the final run-in, the Wolves could take full advantage.
However, with the Giants having arguably the kinder final seven games of the three title challengers, the possibility of Anderson’s men collecting the League Leaders’ Shield for the first time is becoming a distinct possibility – not that the Huddersfield chief is getting carried away, of course.
“We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t taken a look at the fixtures that remain,” said Anderson.
“But there’s still a long way to go before anything is decided. A lot can change in seven games, we all know that, and this is a competition where anybody can beat anybody, regardless of where they are in the League table.
“You never know when form is going to desert you or if players are going to pick up knocks.
“So there’s no point thinking too far ahead at all, we’ve just got to focus on the next game and that’s obviously Hull away on Sunday.
“That’s going to be a very tough game, because they’re always strong at home and have a lot of quality throughout their side.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to build on the momentum we were picking up in the second half of Friday’s game against Catalan, take that to the KC Stadium and try and get another win on the board.
“Then we’ll start to think about our Cup quarter-final at Warrington the following Sunday.
“This is clearly a vitally important time for us, but if we start to lose our focus it could cost us dearly.”
After the Super League trips to Hull and the Tetley’s Challenge Cup last-eight clash at Warrington, the Giants host the resurgent Castleford Tigers before entertaining strugglers Salford City Reds the following Sunday.
Then it’s off to the Warriors for the biggest test, and then a trip to struggling London Broncos eight days later.
With a bit of luck, they’ll be a Challenge Cup semi-final after that before finishing with a home game against Wakefield and a short journey to Bradford Bulls.
When it comes to the Giants’ title rivals, former Huddersfield boss Nathan Brown could do his old club a massive favour as he faces both sides.
Wigan and Warrington also have to play Leeds, with the Wolves finishing their season with tricky trips to St Helens and Catalan Dragons.
Remaining games
Giants
July 7: Hull (away).
July 21: Castleford (home).
August 4: Salford (home).
August 9: Wigan (away).
August 17: London (away).
September 1: Wakefield (home).
September 8: Bradford (away)
Wigan
July 5: Bradford (home).
July 22: St Helens (away).
August 2: Hull KR (home).
August 9: Giants (home).
August 17: Catalan (away).
August 30: Hull (home).
September 6: Leeds (home).
Warrington
July 7: Leeds (home).
July 21: Hull KR (home).
August 4: Castleford (away).
August 11: Wakefield (home).
August 16: Widnes (home).
August 30: St Helens (away).
September 7: Catalan (away).
