TOUGH back-rower Ben Roarty last night collected the Giants Player of the Year award for 2004 and declared: "The best is yet to come!"
The 27-year-old Australian picked up the top club award at the Flyers' 15th annual presentation night at the Galpharm Stadium as part of a final celebration of the Giants' major achievements in Super League IX.
Roarty played a massive part as Huddersfield reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup for the first time in 33 years and enjoyed their highest finish in British rugby league for four decades.
But the former Penrith Panthers star believes the Giants are in a position to do even better in 2005.
"Picking up the Player of the Year award is a tremendous honour, because this is a fantastic club," said Roarty.
"Overall, last year was a good year and we were able to achieve a fair amount.
"But I think I speak for everyone in the squad when I say we're in a position to really `kick butt' this time around.
"Everyone is really buzzing right now and the training has been fantastic so far.
"The boys who were here last season are coming on leaps and bounds and the input of the new players has already been immense.
"What Chris Thorman, Brad Drew and Paul Jackson have brought to the club has been incredible.
"Mick De Vere has only been around a couple of days, so it's hard to measure his contribution yet.
"But his mere presence here has provided another lift and the fact he's an Australian Test player means he can only enhance what is already a strong-looking squad."
Roarty is the first to admit, however, that Super League X promises to be a far tougher competition than last year's.
And with two clubs facing the drop to make way for new French club UTC, nothing can be taken for granted.
"It's going to be a very tough and intense competition," he added.
"But that's the way it should be. That's how to bring the best out of everyone.
"With two going down it means there's extra pressure on clubs, but we're all looking forward to the challenge here.
"We'll be ready!"
