PAUL REILLY has given the Giants a massive lift ahead of tomorrow's McAlpine Super League clash with Hull (8.00) by pledging two more years to his hometown club.

The in-form 27-year-old full-back has followed the example of teammates Paul March and Mick Slicker by signing a contract extension.

Reilly is the longest-serving member of the Giants squad and will now qualify for a testimonial.

And the former Moldgreen junior, who has spent over eight years at the McAlpine, admitted this was one of the factors in his decision to stay.

"I've been keen to get my future sorted out for a couple of weeks now," said Reilly.

"My agent made me aware there were other Super League clubs showing an interest in me, which was flattering.

"But with the way things are going here right now, I really wasn't all that interested.

"There was also a testimonial to consider, and that was another key.

"When I was younger I was only interested in playing for my hometown club, and now I'm closing in on a testimonial. That's a fantastic feeling.

"The last two seasons have been the best.

"I enjoyed the progress we made in 2003 and Jon Sharp and his coaching team have taken us on another level, as the Super League table shows.

"It's great being a Giant."

Reilly is rated as one of the best full-backs in the competition.

He has already produced several man-of-the-match performances this year, with Sharp the first to sing his praises.

"Paul is right up there with the best full-backs in Super League," said Sharp.

"It's not out of place to bracket him alongside the likes of Kris Radlinski at Wigan or Paul Wellens at St Helens.

"Paul is one of our most effective strike weapons, capable of terrorising any defence in Super League.

"Hopefully, that will be the case again tomorrow when we face Hull in another very tough game."