Nathan Mason's rock-solid showing against St Helens has underlined the value of the Giants’ dual-registration link with Oldham.
That’s the view of Huddersfield head coach Paul Anderson after watching the 21-year-old prop hold his own during Friday’s heartbreaking 35-34 defeat.
Mason marked just his second Super League appearance in three years with a couple of strong spells to show how much he has developed since making his one previous top-flight appearance at Bradford Bulls in 2013.
And Anderson thinks the chance for the youngster to play regularly at hometown club Oldham has played a significant part in his development.
“I think the dual-registration with Oldham has worked well for us, and I hope it’s worked well for them,” said Anderson.
“Nathan has gone to Oldham and been able to play regularly at a very good level, which is something we’re obviously not in a position to offer him at the Giants at the moment.
“Even though it’s not Super League, that time at Oldham meant he was match fit to play at Saints the other night.
“As a result, I thought he contributed well for us and was able to handle the occasion.
“He showed the other night how much his game has developed since he made his debut at Bradford in 2013.”
Fortunately, Oldham boss Scott Naylor IS happy with the way the dual-registration deal is working with the Giants.
In 18 League and Cup games this season, coach Naylor has used half-a-dozen players from their Super League partner, plus Mason who has been at Whitebank for most of the year on loan.
Most recent of the dual-reg contingent to give Naylor’s men a helping hand were utility back Jake Connor and back-row forwards Jacob Fairbank and Oliver Roberts, who were all in action in the 38-18 Kingstone Press League I weekend win over Rochdale.
Connor played at centre against York two games ago and at full-back against Rochdale before going off just after half-time with an ankle injury.
Fairbank put on an Oldham jersey for the first time against Rochdale, scoring the try just after the interval which put Roughyeds ahead for the second occasion.
And Naylor, a former teammate of Anderson at Bradford Bulls, admits the young Giants at his disposal have been a credit to their club.
“The dual-reg lads are doing a great job for us,” admitted Naylor.
“People have mixed views about the dual-reg system but we have to embrace it. If we want to compete at the top end of League I and aim for promotion we’ve got to do that, we don’t have an option.
“The RFL have brought it in and our rival clubs are using it, so we’ve got to go down the same route in the interests of a level playing field and in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our targets.
“The lads we are getting from Huddersfield Giants are fitting straight into our systems, enjoying their time with us and performing well on game days. They are committed to us and determined to give us everything they can.
“That is not only testament to the great job Paul Anderson and his staff are doing at the Giants, but it’s also testament to the attitudes and work ethics of the boys themselves, who are coming here to play for us and doing a great job.
“And although we were disappointed to lose Nathan Mason to the Giants last week, we were all delighted for him here to see him play so well at St Helens at Super League level the other night.
“He’s done a great job during his time at Oldham and we’d certainly be delighted to welcome him back. That’s obviously down to what Paul wants to do with him.
“Ultimately, Nathan is a Huddersfield Giants player and wants to be playing regularly at Super League level, and I wouldn’t expect anything else from him, to be honest.”
