NEW captain Brett Hodgson will lead a team of nine new Huddersfield Giants for Super League XIV.

The vastly-experienced Australian has been joined by Simon Finnigan, Michael Korkidas, Scott Moore, Joe Walsh, Shaun Lunt, Josh Griffin, Keal Carlile and Larne Patrick as the new faces for 2009.

They come in to replace Rod Jensen (retired), Ryan Hudson (Castleford Tigers), Stuart Jones (Castleford Tigers) Chris Thorman (Hull FC), Steve Snitch (Wakefield Wildcats), Shane Elford (Penrith Panthers), John Skandalis (retired) and George Gatis (retired), who have departed after starting last season on the Giants’ books.

Whether the changes will make new Australian head coach Nathan Brown’s a stronger squad remains to be seen.

But there’s no doubt that if the new arrivals hit top form, they could play key roles in helping steer the Giants to a top-eight play-off spot.

And in goalkicking full-back Hodgson, they have the right man to provide the inspirational lead.

The 30-year-old arrives from top Australian NRL club Wests Tigers and renews a link with former teammates Jamahl Lolesi and Paul Whatuira, with all three have been in the Tigers’ 2005 Grand Final winning team as they defeated North Queensland Cowboys 30-16.

Hodgson is rated one of the best full-backs in the NRL in the last decade and in 2005 he was named the Dally M Full-back of the Year as the best player in is position in the Australian game and was the competition’s leading pointscorer with 308.

In total, he has made 212 appearances in the NRL, spanning over 12 seasons, and also played six State Of Origin games for New South Wales.

Back-row forward Finnigan is another player predicted to make an immediate impact for the Giants in Super League.

The 27-year-old experienced Irish international made the switch from Bradford Bulls and arrives at the Galpharm on the back of a stand-out World Cup campaign which saw him score a try in the famous win over Samoa which booked Ireland a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Finnigan may have been born in Warrington, but learned his trade with Australian NRL club Penrith Panthers before returning to England where he has gained a wealth of experience with several clubs.

He is renowned for his hard-working ethic and has an uncanny eye for the tryline, which saw him cross the whitewash seven times last season.

Another player who has the potential to be a big Giants hit is 27-year-old prop Michael Korkidas.

The Australian powerhouse began his career at leading NRL club Sydney Roosters and in 2002 joined Super League Wakefield Trinity Wildcats where he rapidly etsblished himself as a firm fans’ favourite.

After a disappointing 2008 at Castleford Tigers, Korkidas will be looking for a big first year with the Giants, and if he can get back to his best he will be one of the most destructive runners in the Super League competition, often leaving defenders in their wake on a typical rampaging run.

Scott Moore arrives at the Galpharm on a season-long loan from St Helens, where he made his debut as a 16-year-old.

Now 20, the hooker or half-back who is noted for his smart footballing brain and excellent distribution skills out of dummy half spent the 2008 season at Castleford Tigers on loan, making 16 appearances and scoring one try.

Moore will be hoping for a strong season at the Giants to help fulfil his international ambitions, having already represented England at Under 15s, 16s and 17s level.

Another new member of the Huddersfield squad who made a big name for himself at junior representative level is back-rower Joe Walsh.

The 21-year-old Oldham-born forward has played for England at Under 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s and Academy level and was a product of the Leeds Rhinos Academy programme before a brief stint at Bradford Bulls.

He then moved to Harlequins in 2007 where he made consecutive Super League appearances before suffering a serious shoulder injury and then moving back up north for a loan spell at National League I side Halifax.

In joining the Giants, Walsh will be looking to kick-start his top-flight career in 2009, and the hard-working forward will be keen to build on his four Super League appearances.

Shaun Lunt has yet to play Super League, but it only seems a matter of time before the 22-year-old former Workington Town player will be making his mark on the game at the highest domestic level.

The hooker or half-back has twice been named the National League Young Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and in the Giants’ pre-season games is already making a big impact in his first season as a full-time professional.

He is tipped by many as a future star, with great speed out of dummy-half and accurate distribution, and is regarded as the fittest member of the Giants squad.

Fans could be forgiven for thinking they’re seeing double when Josh Griffin takes to the field with the Giants for the first time.

The younger brother of top Huddersfield prop Darrell, 18-year-old Josh is another being widely tipped as a star of the future.

The promising full-back, who was snapped up from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, has a strong physique and pace. A strong carrier of the ball, Griffin made his first-team debut for the Wildcats last season in their Challenge Cup victory at Salford.

The signature of England Academy hooker Keal Carlile from West Yorkshire rivals Bradford Bulls was seen as a major coup for the Giants.

The diminutive 18-year-old hooker toured Australia alongside Michael Lawrence with the England Academy side in 2008 and made his Super League debut for the Bulls in the same year at Knowsley Road against St Helens.

Larne Patrick was another who was previously on the books of Bradford Bulls and has represented England at Academy level.

The 20-year-old joins the Giants after a year plying his trade in Australia with Manly-based club Narrabeen Sharks.

Patrick has already impressed the Giants coaching staff in training and, with his imposing frame and solid all-round skills, could prove a real handful for opponents in 2009.

The Giants have also signed Whitehaven Warriors wonderkid Gregg McNally, although they immediately loaned him back to the Cumbrians for the whole of next season.

The 18-year-old goalkicking scrum half shot to prominence in 2008 and was the only non-Super League player to represent England Academy on last summer’s tour to Australia.

He will remain with his hometown club as he continues his studies and will join the Giants on a full-time basis in the build-up to Super League XV.