ALL three retiring Giants have admitted the emotional factor in their farewell game against Salford hit the effectiveness of their performances.
Julian Bailey, Brandon Costin and Darren Fleary were all delighted to bring down the curtain on their Huddersfield careers with a win yesterday.
But the trio felt the victory would have been achieved far more easily had it been a `normal' Super League game.
"I have to admit I felt a little flat early on because the nerves and the excitement of it being my last game got the better of me," said Huddersfield-born club captain Fleary.
"I know it shouldn't have done, but I really did find it difficult to concentrate.
"But after my usual break on the sidelines I came back on and felt the second spell was far better for me. I was fully into the game by then.
"I'm just glad all the emotion of the day didn't cost us the game."
The feeling of initial flatness was shared by Costin, who confessed he was far more emotional that he thought he would be.
"I had a tear in my eye in the sheds just before we went out for warm-up and then just before we went out for the match," he revealed.
"It was at those times that the boys started to thank each other for their efforts during the year and the need to finish off with a good display.
"That's when it really hit home that I wouldn't be doing this again with Huddersfield.
"I'm sure that emotion took some of the energy out of me, and that was why it was a struggle early on."
Costin's fellow Australian Bailey admitted he was relieved to finish on a winning note - and on the field!
"I suppose my little boxing match with Anthony Stewart wasn't too clever," he said.
"Luckily, nothing happened, and I came off with a winning smile. That's what I'd dreamed about all week."
