Eorl Crabtree may have played in some big games during his 399 Huddersfield Giants appearances.

But the only one he’s focusing on right now is his 400th at home to Castleford Tigers in Thursday’s key Super 8s clash.

It’ll be a far cry from when the popular prop made his senior debut for his hometown club in a fixture against London Broncos at Charlton in 2000.

At that time, the Giants were languishing at the foot of the Super League table and couldn’t buy a win.

Yet now, the Giants are on the verge of securing a top-four finish, a place in the play-off semi-final and the chance to move within a game of a first Super League Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford.

And Crabtree knows that makes this John Smith’s Stadium clash against the fifth-placed Tigers vitally important.

“We’ve done well to get ourselves up to third and we don’t intend to blow it now,” said the 32-year-old former England front-row forward.

“During my time at the club, there have been some pretty special moments.

Ken Davy and Eorl Crabtree
Ken Davy and Eorl Crabtree

“That all started with my debut at London, and has taken in a couple of Challenge Cup finals and several semi-finals.

“It’s also included the matches that helped us win the Super League Leaders Shield in 2013.

“I feel really privileged to have played in the games I have.

“But at this very moment, the most important game I’ve played for the club is Thursday’s against Cas.

“It’s the one that can take us a step closer to our ultimate goal of reaching a first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, and it’s one we believe we are capable of achieving.

“I genuinely feel this is the best squad we’ve had since I’ve been here.

“There’s definitely more quality than ever before, and we know on our day we’re capable of beating anybody.

“We really are in a strong position to mount a serious challenge to lift the Super League trophy for the first time. We’ve got some pretty decent momentum behind us and we want to make sure that’s maintained against Cas on Thursday night.”

With the Giants set to field the same side that won 28-22 at champions St Helens the last time out, Huddersfield are the favourites to win this West Yorkshire derby.

Eorl Crabtree

That favourites tag has also been strengthened because of the absence of injured captain Michael Shenton (dislocated shoulder) and suspension of blockbusting winger Justin Carney for internal disciplinary reasons.

And Crabtree aims to pile on the misery.

“Cas are doing it a bit tough at the moment,” added the crowd favourite.

“They’ll be coming to us lacking two of their most influential players and having been beaten at Catalans in their last game.

“But there’s no way anyone here will be feeling sorry for them. I know they wouldn’t be feeling sorry for us if it was the other way around.

“There have ben plenty of times over the years when I just don’t think we’ve been ruthless enough and we’ve paid the price for that.

“And I know we need to be ruthless on Thursday night.

“If we get on top of Cas we’ve got to capitalise on this and make it as uncomfortable as we possibly can for them.

“That’s the sort of mentality you have to adopt if you want to lift a major trophy, so that’s the sort of mentality we’ll all be wanting to see as soon as we get on that field.”