Deflated Paul Anderson was in typical straight-talking mood immediately after the Giants’ 32-8 play-off semi-final defeat at Wigan Warriors.

When Huddersfield needed to produce the performance to help secure a victory which would have taken them to a Super League Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford for the first time, they failed to deliver.

That, unfortunately, has been the tale of Huddersfield’s play-off performances over the years, with a sorry three wins from 15 attempts having been achieved.

Huddersfield Giants' Head Coach Paul Anderson consoles Scott Grix after defeat to Wigan in the play-off semi final

Even when the Giants lifted the Super League Leaders Shield in 2013, they went on to suffer disappointing play-off defeats at home to Wigan and at Warrington.

And even though Huddersfield finished third at the end of the regular season and maintained that spot until the end of a largely successful Super 8s campaign which brought five victories and just two very narrow defeats, Anderson felt all that gloss was removed in just 80 painful memories at the DW Stadium on Thursday night.

At the start of the season, few were predicting the Giants would secure a top-four finish and a semi-final spot, particularly given the strength and spending power of many of the clubs around them.

But as far as Anderson was concerned, those achievements during the regular season and Super 8s counted for very little indeed.

“For much of the year we have been good,” said Anderson.

“But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and after the year we’ve had this was obviously not the finish we wanted.

“We’ve just been hammered at Wigan in the semi-final, so what’s gone on before has ended up counting for absolutely nothing.”

But when Anderson does start to reflect on the past nine months, he’ll surely appreciate there have been far more positives than negatives.

After losing the opening three fixtures of the season, very worryingly at home to Hull FC on the opening day and then narrowly at Wigan and Leeds, the Giants began to emerge as one of the competition’s strongest and most consistent performers.

By the end of the regular campaign and Super 8s series, Anderson’s side had chalked up 18 wins, two draws and 10 defeats to grab that third-place finish.

And until the final day of the season, they boasted the best defensive record in 2015 before they were pipped at the post by Wigan.

There were also some highly notable triumphs along the way, led by the 29-10 triumph at former bogey team Warrington Wolves in March.

That was the real signal the Giants were back in business after their shaky start, with new-look Huddersfield starting to gel.

With a fledgling half-back partnership in Danny Brough and Castleford signing Jamie Ellis, it was always going to take some time for them to bed in.

By the end of the season, it was bearing fruit.

Take a look at our gallery below to see the Giants' season in pictures.

As a result, Brough again finished in the Super League Dream Team, along with teammate Jermaine McGillvary, who is the competition’s leading tryscorer with 27.

Anderson felt the likes of Leroy Cudjoe, Jack Hughes and Joe Wardle also deserved to be in the reckoning when the imaginary team of the 2015 season was selected.

2015 First Utility Super League Dream Team from left, Alex Walmsley, Jamie Peacock, Adam Cuthbertson, Zak Hardaker, Zeb Taia, Jermaine McGillvary, Danny Brough, Luke Gale, James Roby, Liam Farrell, Michael Shenton, Kallum Watkins, Joe Burgess

But with the manner of their play-off defeat at Wigan and the 48-16 thumping at Leeds Rhinos in the big Challenge Cup tie at Headingley in May, it could be argued the selectors got it about right.

Yes, the end to the season was hugely disappointing, although all credit to Wigan, who were fantastic on the night.

However, with the arrival next season of top Australian NRL stars Ryan Hinchcliffe and Sam Rapira, a first full pre-season for prop Daniel Smith following his mid-season signing from Wakefield, the continuing rise in form of Ukuma Ta’ai, the exciting progression of the Brough-Ellis midfield combination and the effect going full-time can have on the likes of Jared Simpson means there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful in 2016.