Huddersfield Giants try ace Jermaine McGillvary has his sights firmly set on Huddersfield’s next goal – earning a home game in the Super League semi-finals.
The 27-year-old winger notched his 100th try for his hometown club in Friday’s 34-20 win at Hull FC, but McGillvary and his teammates now have their focus firmly on Friday’s final Super 8s showdown with Leeds Rhinos at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Take a look at the match action from the Hull game below.
“It is going to be a massive game against Leeds and there is still potential for us to finish top of the league,” said McGillvary, who scored for a sixth consecutive game as he took his season’s try tally to 26 touchdowns – a Giants record in Super League.
“We already know that we are in the semi-finals, but we can’t dwell on that because Friday’s game means such a lot.
“If we can get the win against Leeds then that should earn us a home semi-final – which is what we want.”
However, McGillvary and the Giants know they need to produce a stronger performance than they did in winning at Hull FC where the winger’s late touchdown and a last minute try from Jamie Ellis put some gloss on a hard-earned victory.
“It was a tough old game and, while it was amazing to get the try, it wasn’t the best of matches,” admitted McGillvary.
“To get 100 tries for my hometown club is great and I am over the moon with that. It is a bit special to reach such a landmark.
“Bit it was one of those games where the boys had to pull together to get the win.
“I was lucky enough to get the try after great work from Jack (Hughes), Ukuma (Ta’ai) and Leroy (Cudjoe), but it was a tough old contest.”
Warrington Wolves boss Tony Smith hailed departing skipper Joel Monaghan after his hat trick helped the Wolves romp to a 48-6 victory on an emotional last home appearance at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Monaghan was man-of-the-match as the Wolves ended a run of four defeats in their last five First Utility Super League games since their shock Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Hull KR.
It was an emotional farewell for Monaghan, who was playing his last home match for the Wolves – alongside Roy Asotasi and Catalans-bound Richie Myler.
The 33-year-old former Australian Test winger took his Warrington try tally to 144 in 144 appearances since signing from Canberra Raiders with his first hat-trick of the season – also converting youngster Jack Johnson’s second touchdown 11 minutes from time.
Smith, whose side led 26-0 at half time, said: “Joel has been a champion for us and will go down in our history books for what he has achieved.
“He has been first class and is a top bloke.
“And you could not have written a better script for the three boys who took the field for their last home match.”
