HUDDERSFIELD Giants are hoping that history is not about to repeat itself in the Junior Academy First Division Grand Final tonight (8.00).

Exactly a year ago, the Giants suffered defeat at Warrington in the Grand Final of the same Academy competition.

And 12 months later Huddersfield are ready to make the return trip.

There's one major difference, with this year's final taking place at the new and highly impressive Halliwell-Jones Stadium rather than Wilderspool.

Unfortunately, the new venue has not been a happy hunting ground for coach Chris Plume and his Under 18s side.

They were beaten 34-18 in the League and then 40-16 in the final eliminator.

But with a hard-earned 14-12 semi-final triumph having been secured at Salford at the weekend, hopes are high that the trend can be reversed.

"We were all disappointed with the way we played at Warrington the other week," said Plume.

"Obviously, the fact we were stuck in traffic going over to the game didn't help our preparation and it meant we made a really poor start to the game.

"But, at the same time, Warrington played well and we know they will pose a massive threat tonight.

"Yet in a sense, the way events went last time out could help us.

"It means the boys know they have nothing to lose, all the pressure will be on the Wolves. If anything that should calm our nerves.

"But we do need to be at the very top of our game.

"I don't believe this side has played to its full potential this season, and there would be no better time to do it than now.

"I also hope we get a strong following for the boys tonight, because the support of the Giants fans could make a big difference."

Plume's side have suffered a major blow with the loss of new Super League squad man Bolu Fagborun with an ankle injury, although in Richard Knight the Giants have an accomplished and ready-made replacement.

Huddersfield Giants: Hull; George (L), Knight, Robinson, Sutherland; Hemingway, Simpson; Southwell, Garside, Holdsworth, George (S), Clarke, Tillotson. Subs: Watson, Cudjoe, Clare, Wilkinson.

* The winner of the Tetley's Super League Dream Team shirt was Philip Longbottom of Meltham, who correctly answered that Leeds Rhinos finished top of Super League and was the first name out of the bag.