HOMEGROWN winger Jermaine McGillvary is hoping his Giants dream never comes to an end!
The 22-year-old will again start for Huddersfield in his side’s final pre-season game against St Helens at Widnes today.
McGillvary guaranteed himself another crack in the starting line-up with a superb display in the 18-10 pre-season triumph over Hull KR in Eorl Crabtree’s testimonial clash at the Galpharm Stadium 13 days ago.
He knows today’s test against last season’s beaten Super League Grand Finalists could be the biggest of his career so far.
But if he again emerges with flying colours and then secures a place in the Giants’ line-up for his side’s Super League XVI opener against Warrington in Cardiff as part of the Magic Weekend on February 12, it will be another highly-significant moment in what has become a golden period for the rising Giants star.
In October, his partner, Hannah, gave birth to their first child, Isaac, and a few months later he had been handed a three-year contract extension to reward an encouraging start to his Super League career.
And now he is hoping to establish himself as a regular in the Giants’ first-team line-up, with a top display this afternoon a crucial next step.
“It’s been a fantastic few months for me,” reflected McGillvary.
“Obviously, the birth of Isaac is the best moment of my life, but what I’m doing with the Giants at the moment is making this time even more special.
“Just a couple of months after Isaac arrived, I’d signed my new contract which has secured my future here for the next three years and obviously also means I can give him the best start in life.
“But, rugby-wise, it also means I can focus 100% on improving my game without having to worry about what the future may hold, and I’m the first to acknowledge there is still a lot of room for improvement.
“I know I’ve come on a tremendous amount under Nathan (Brown) over the past couple of years, and I’m still learning all the time.
“Right now, I’m working on trying to get the little things right, because that can make such a big difference to your overall game.
“I’ve always prided myself on my speed and my strong carries, but I now feel my defence and positional play is coming on loads. Browny’s also brought me on so much with my catching and passing as well.
“In fact, in every area of the game he’s improved me out of all recognition from when I first came here as a very raw 18-year-old. And I think it helped with the way he used me last season.
“I suppose it was a bit frustrating when I first came into the Super League side, scored a couple of tries and then found myself out of the side again.
“But Browny always fully explained exactly why he’d done that and gave me time to think about it.
“He’s always made it perfectly clear to me that if I scored 10 tries but at the same time wasn’t working off the ball or following up a kick-chase, I’d lose my place.
“It was a tough lesson to learn, but a good one.”
As well as developing superbly as a rugby league player, McGillvary has also grown in stature physically.
That was evident with the strength of his overall performance against Hull KR when he showed his power and his pace in equal measure.
“I’ve always had a fair amount of speed, and that’s obviously been one of my assets,” he added.
“To be honest, I haven’t been timed over 100m since I was 15, but it was about 11 seconds back then, and I’m sure I’m quicker now – and that’s despite the fact I’m so much stronger.
“It’s not that long ago that I was about 88kg, but I’m up to 95kg now and feeling fitter and faster.
“It’s amazing how much extra confidence that can give you when you go into games.
“But (head conditioner) Paul Watson has also be great in that respect.
“As well as making you a better all-round athlete, he’s also an incredibly positive person, and that attitude really does rub off on you.
“He’s come in here and helped make everyone feel better about themselves, both mentally an physically, and that makes an amazing amount of difference.
“With that sort of person around the place, being here is fantastic.
“I know how lucky I am.”
