COULD Brad Drew become the first Giants player to earn a place in the Super League Dream Team?

In 2001, the 30-year-old was named the Australian NRL's Dally M hooker of the year to acknowledge an outstanding season with Parramatta Eels.

And all the smart money suggests he is a front-runner to pick up the equivalent honour in Super League at the end of the 2005 season.

Drew's case is certainly compelling.

Challenging the Australian for the honour will be the likes of Hull's Richard Swain, St Helens' Keiron Cunningham and Wigan's Terry Newton.

All three have made a big impact with their club, just like Drew at the Giants.

But the major difference is that while Drew's main rivals have suffered injury and missed crucial chunks of the season, the Huddersfield No9 hasn't missed a game.

That injury-free spell has helped make him a model of consistency, with Drew having been at the heart of every top Giants' display.

So far, he has scooped two man-of-the-match awards in front of the Sky TV cameras - no better place to put your name forward as a potential Super League Dream Team candidate - and earned a nomination for the League Express Player of the Month.

A team of unnamed rugby league experts are responsible for coming up with the 13 names in the Dream Team, and it is hoped that Drew doesn't fall out of contention if the Giants eventually miss out on a play-off place.

But for the man himself, picking up an individual award is the last thing on his mind right now.

"To be honest, I haven't given the Super League Dream Team a moment's thought. In fact, I've never heard of it before!" said Drew.

"I certainly didn't come to join the Giants to earn individual awards.

"I came here to help the Giants improve as a team and hopefully get into the play-offs.

"Everything above that would be a bonus.

"I have to admit that winning the Dally M hooker award in 2001 was a massive thrill, because I had to beat the likes of Danny Buderus and Luke Priddis to win the award.

"But anything that comes individually is only possible due to the efforts of the players around you.

"If I do get in the Super League Dream Team it's only because the rest of my teammates have being doing their jobs right, too.

"And if I pick up an award, then surely others from the Giants must be in contention, musn't they?"

In this respect, Drew must be talking most notably about Chris Thorman, although prop Eorl Crabtree has also caught the eye of many neutral rugby league observers this year.

Like Super League hookers, many of the leading stand-off candidates have failed to get into their stride because of injury.

But apart from one Challenge Cup tie and one Super League fixture, Thorman has started every game in the No6 position this season.

Furthermore, he's also be in top form with the boot, having just set a Giants Super League record with 10 goals in a game against Leigh.

He did, of course, also become the second highest pointsscorer in a Super League match with 36 with his goals and four tries.

Crabtree faces far tougher competition in the pack.

But there's no question he's the most improved prop in the competition, and it will be interesting to see if that carriers any weight.