GIANTS fans will have applauded the club’s swift action to secure the services of one of the most experienced full-backs in the Australian NRL for next season.

Many supporters have been calling for the club to recruit a quality No1 from the moment it was announced Paul Reilly would be leaving last season.

And in capturing Wests Tigers captain Brett Hodgson, left, for the next two seasons, the Giants really couldn’t have done much better.

Opinion has been greatly divided over the merits of fielding captain Chris Thorman at full-back when he has played the vast majority of his career at half-back. Coming into the line, Thorman can prove devastating with his vast array of attacking skills, but question marks continue to remain over his defensive work.

And that’s also the case with Rod Jensen, who has been such a thrilling attacking force on the wing, but has been put under incredible pressure by opponents when he’s been on defensive full-back duty.

Leroy Cudjoe is another to have had Super League spells at full-back this season, but at the age of 19 he is still learning his trade.

By working alongside Hodgson in 2009 and 2010, Cudjoe will surely pick up an incredible amount of tips, and that will clearly stand him in excellent stead.

But one question fans are already raising in light of Hodgson’s imminent arrival is Thorman’s role for next season.

He will certainly be involved in some capacity, with the possibility of the skipper playing at stand-off and Kevin Brown having spells at centre, where he has always looked strong.

For now, however, Giants coach Jon Sharp (right) will not be joining in the debate.

Sharp’s only concern right now is getting his side back on a winning Super League track, hopefully starting against Hull KR tomorrow.

That’s probably why the Galpharm chief has kept his feelings on next year’s arrival to a minimum, although he has stated: “Brett’s pedigree speaks for itself, an NRL Grand Final winner and State of the Origin full back and we are delighted to have him on board from next season.

“He will add great experience and consistency to the squad and he is a very exciting signing for Super League XIV.”

But for now Sharp is preferring to focus on 2008 and Hull KR tomorrow.