Young winger Ben Blackmore knows it’s going to take a lot more than pre-season praise from the Giants coaching staff to guarantee him a start in the early rounds of Super League 2014.
Head coach Paul Anderson has revealed he couldn’t be happier with the way the 20-year-old former Castleford Academy player has knuckled down throughout pre-season training.
As a result, the Giants chief believes Blackmore could mount a genuine challenge for a starting spot ahead of more established wingers Jermaine McGillvary, Aaron Murphy and new signing Jodie Broughton, who claimed the title of Super League’s fastest man during his time at former club Salford.
But Blackmore is fully aware that he’s still got a lot of work to do before a regular wing spot can be nailed on.
“It’s great to get praise from the coaching staff. It gives you a lift,” said Blackmore, who made two Super League appearances and scored two tries in his debut Huddersfield season last season.
“But at this stage that counts for nothing in terms of whether it’ll get you a starting spot or not.
“It does prove I’m doing the right things and I’m heading in the right direction, but that’s it at the moment.
“I know the key for me is to keep on working hard, keep my head down and try to keep improving.
“The challenge to get a start is going to be really tough, because the competition for places is so fierce.
“I’m sure that because of injuries and things like that, the chances will come my way at some stage.
“But, ideally, I don’t want to have to wait for that chance to come along. I want it to come as quickly as possible.
“The only way I stand a chance of doing that is for the coaching staff to keen on praising me for what I’m doing, and that’s what I’m desperate to do.”
