AUSTRALIAN Grand Final winner John Skandalis is desperate to see history repeat itself.
The rock-solid Giants prop was in the Wests Tigers side that beat North Queensland Cowboys 30-16 to be crowned Australian NRL champions in 2005.
That has proved to be the highlight of the 31-year-old front-rower’s career so far.
But he knows it will be matched if Huddersfield can beat Hull FC in Saturday’s play-off clash at the KC Stadium (7.00) and then go on to win the engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 13.
Skandalis knows that’s going to be a tall order.
But he believes the omens are right for the Giants to secure the Super League crown against all the odds.
“I came to Huddersfield to play in the play-offs, and that’s just what I’ll be doing,” said Skandalis, who will be ready to line up at Hull despite having 10 stitches in a head wound picked up at Hull KR last Saturday.
“We know it’s going to be tough getting to the Grand Final from fifth position, but it’s not impossible.
“I’ve learned from experience that you should treat the play-offs as a fresh competition, and that we shouldn’t worry about where we finished in the six.
“We go to Hull knowing we can win, and that’s all that matters at this stage.
“And, having won the Grand Final with the Tigers, I feel the omens for the Giants are very good.
“I remember we started the season in 2005 slowly, hit a good bit of form and then struggled again before finishing the campaign strongly, although we did lose our final game of the regular season. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
“I think we lost that last match because we had one eye on the play-offs, which is exactly what happened to us at Hull KR last Saturday.
“It was disappointing to lose last weekend, but we know it’s hardly the end of the world.
“That defeat has not dented our confidence, it’s just made us even more determined to do the work on the training field this week.
“To be honest, I’m really excited about Saturday, and I know that’s the way everyone else is feeling.
“This match has all the makings of being a classic.
“The KC Stadium is a fantastic venue, the atmosphere will be brilliant and I’m sure our fans will turn out in force to make sure it’s a truly memorable occasion.
“I know we’ll probably start as underdogs, but that suits us fine.
“We can’t wait!”
Final fling for Robbie? – Page 45.
