THE high-profile signing of Bradford Bulls star Robbie Paul rounded off what was another highly eventful Super League year for the Giants.

Paul's capture in late October ended months of speculation over a potential move and helped the Giants gain some very positive national media attention in the process.

Signing a player of the stature of the New Zealand international, (main picture) who led the Bulls to victory in the Super League Grand Final, Challenge Cup final and World Club Challenge, was a clear sign of the Giants' growing status in the game.

Since their return to the top flight three years ago, the Huddersfield club have become a solid Super League force - a club capable of attracting some of the game's top stars.

That was not only reinforced by the capture of Paul, but also with the Giants' ability to persuade the likes of Great Britain international Stephen Wild and Martin Aspinwall to join from Wigan Warriors.

Galpharm head coach Jon Sharp is obviously hoping the recruitment of players of this potential will help his club build on last season's achievements.

With just two games of last season remaining, the Giants still had a chance of reaching Super League's top six play-offs for the first time.

Unfortunately, a defeat on the penultimate weekend of the season at Bradford, followed by a 36-22 reverse at home to Wigan on the last day meant the Giants finished eighth.

But while it was disappointing to sign off with defeat against the Warriors, this was a season when the name Wigan brought a smile to the face of all Huddersfield followers.

On April 8, the Giants beat Wigan 24-16 in front of the Sky TV cameras at the Galpharm Stadium.

Then, just five games later, Sharp's side mounted a superb second-half fightback to beat the Warriors again, 26-24 at the JJB Stadium.

For the first time since the 1941-42 season, Huddersfield had completed a League double over Wigan!

Without doubt, that night in Wigan was the highlight of the Giants' season.

It was one of Huddersfield's 12 victories from 28 starts in 2005 - the same as in the previous season.

Win No1 came on the opening day when they won 30-12 at newly- promoted Leigh Centurions in front of the Sky TV cameras.

That was an excellent triumph against a side who were always going to be fired up.

But the most notable victory over Leigh came on the Galpharm return in August when the Giants set a new club record Super League win of 68-16.

It was also the first time in a Super League match that the Giants had scored 12 tries.

Furthermore, Chris Thorman became the first Giant to score four tries in a Super League game.

He backed that up with 10 goals to finish with a total of 36 points - the second highest individual points tally ever in Super League.

On a negative, however, the Giants suffered a blow early in the season when Sean Penkywicz was banned for two years for taking steroids.

It was a decision which temporarily rocked the club, although they did recover to go on and have what has to be regarded as a successful year.