IT'S been a good first year back at the Giants for Chris Thorman.

As the curtain falls on Super League X, the 24-year-old can reflect on a season which has seen him finish as captain in the absence of the injured Ben Roarty, be named the Giants Player of the Year, finish as the club's top points scorer (274) and tryscorer (19), earn the Super League Player of the Month award for August and gain selection to the 40-man Great Britain squad.

Unfortunately, Thorman missed out on the prize he wanted more than most - a first Giants' appearance in the play-offs.

That could be made an even more bitter pill to swallow if his former club, top NRL side Parramatta Eels, go on and win the Australian Grand Final.

But he still has no regrets whatsoever about re-joining the club he left at the end of the 2002 season.

"Everyone knows how much I love this club and how excited I was to rejoin them," said Thorman.

"And 12 months down the line, nothing has changed. I still feel the same way about Huddersfield Giants.

"Obviously, it's bitterly disappointing not to have reached the play-offs, which was our No1 objective.

"But during the 12 months I was playing in Australia, the competition over here has improved no end and it's now even harder than ever to make the six, so finishing eighth isn't the end of the world.

"In fact, this year has shown me this club has improved out of all recognition across the board in the years I have been away.

"For a start, we're no longer the whipping boys in Super League.

"We're now regarded as a Super League side that's respected and is always competitive, and the quality of the squad has improved out of all recognition.

"And that increased level in professionalism is also very apparent off the field.

"The training facilities we now have at Storthes Hall are fantastic and the sports barn on Leeds Road is incredible.

"The club is now run as a business, and with Ken Davy in charge of the whole set-up it's run very efficiently.

"It's obvious that this club is ready to progress as a major Super League force, both on and off the field."

And Thorman believes he has also made progress as the season has developed - and is confident there is a lot more still to come.

"Playing-wise, I'm happy with the way my season has gone," he reflected.

"At the start of the season, I set out to try and improve my game and I feel I've done that.

"I think part of that was down to being made captain.

"When you assume that role you have to be more responsible and I've always enjoyed having added responsibility.

"It's a role that you need to play both on and off the field, and as captain it's up to you to set the right example to the younger players around you.

"I would like to think that's a role I've fulfilled successfully.

"In fact, I would like to think the captaincy has helped make me a better player.

"But I know there is still a lot of improvement in me, and hopefully we'll all see that with the Giants next season."

Although Thorman's season with the Giants is at an end, he is hoping he still has a couple of matches to play.

Those would be with Great Britain in this autumn's Tri-Nations series against Australia and New Zealand.

Thorman, teammate Eorl Crabtree and new big Giants signing Stephen Wild (from Wigan) are all in the Lions' initial 40-man squad and need to keep themselves fit until the final squad is announced in mid-October.

"It's hard trying to discipline yourself and keep yourself fit right now," he continued.

"While the rest of the boys are off enjoying their end-of-season breaks, we need to maintain our fitness levels just in case we get the Great Britain calls.

"Most of the GB boys are still involved in the play-offs, so they are as sharp as ever.

"But for the likes of Eorl, Stephen and myself we've got to keep working on our own.

"Obviously, if we get picked for the squad, it'll be worth it.

"And if that's the case for me, it would round off what has been a great first season back.

"I know I've achieved a lot this year, including a number of new individual Super League club records with my four tries and 36 points against Leigh.

"So to be picked for Great Britain would be the icing on the cake."