GIANTS skipper Brett Hodgson has scooped his second major honour of the season – and is in the running for a third.
The 31-year-old full-back was selected in Super League’s Dream Team this week and has now been named the Rugby League Writers’ Association player of the year.
Hodgson, also a frontrunner for the Super League Man of Steel title, edged ahead of Warrington prop Adrian Morley to become the 14th winner of the writers’ award – which will be presented at their annual dinner in Manchester on November 2.
Before that he is up against reigning Man of Steel James Graham, of St Helens, and his Wembley adversary Morley again for the league’s player-of-the-year prize, with the winner to be announced at a gala dinner in Manchester on Monday, October 5.
“It’s a thrilling thing to receive accolades like this as an individual, although I couldn’t have done it without (coach) Nathan Brown and the team,” said the former Wests Tigers and Parramatta star.
“I came over here with high expectations of doing well and Huddersfield has been a wonderful place for me because I’ve been allowed to play my natural game.
“We’ve laid the foundations now, but the intensity lifts at this time of year and we’ve got to be ready for that.”
Brown said: “This award for Brett is fully deserved and I think everyone will agree that all year he has probably been the best player in the competition.
“He has obviously been great for Huddersfield Giants in a number of ways.
“He is definitely the best player I have coached in terms of his consistency and the way he challenges other people to do the right things.
“He takes great pride in his own performance. As a coach when your best player is the smallest and bravest, one that challenges people and has respect, it makes coaching the side a little easier. I am sure Brett will be a frontrunner for the Man of Steel this year.”
Hodgson finished fourth in the scoring list at the end of the regular season with 216 points, was man of the match in the Giants’ 24-14 Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final win over St Helens last month and will lead their bid for a maiden Grand Final appearance when they take on Saints in the opening round of the play-offs tomorrow night.
