29 Dec 2019

Giants Top 30 of the Decade: Top 10

As we countdown to the end of the decade, we countdown the Top 30 Giants Players of the Decade, as decided by a panel of fans and experts.

We've revealed the 30-11 on our list of the Top Giants Players of the Decade. Now it's New Years Day, it's time for us to reveal the Top 10 on the list. 

10. David Faiumu, 115 points

David Faiumu was an outstanding player who had the ability to break defences with his trademark step. An ever popular member of the 2013 League Leaders Shield winning team, Fooey was at his best in the early part of the decade and has an argument to be the Giants greatest ever hooker. 

9. Aaron Murphy, 117 points

Winger, Centre, Full-Back, Loose Forward, Second-Row. 

That is every position Aaron Murphy has played in his time at Huddersfield, and he has applied his hard-work and game smarts to each and every position. Starting out as a ruthless winger, he made the jump to centre and has moved further in field as the years have gone by, finally moving to Second-Row under Simon Woolford this year. 

8. Eorl Crabtree, 120 points

How could we have a list of our best players of the decade without mentioning our hometown hero? Eorl Crabtree was, is and probably will be Mr Huddersfield Giants forever, and is still at the club in a commercial capacity.

7. Michael Lawrence, 124 points

Competing with Aaron Murphy for the "playing literally every position known to Rugby League" award, Michael Lawrence has played wing, centre and back-rower during his time. The first player from the 1990s to score in the Super League, this hometown hero has the ability 

6. Joe Wardle, 130 points

As discovered in our long read on the stats and figures that defined the decade, Joe Wardle loves to win. He's done an awful lot of it in his time, winning over 60% of his games played for the club. He's a tough, uncompromising back-row centre that will literally get up from a bang to the head if he thinks he's going to score. A proper legend. 

5. Luke Robinson, 152 points

At 5 foot, 6 inches, Luke Robinson's low centre of gravity made him a machine for jinking runs, scoots and finding gaps that most men couldn't see, but his knowledge of the game made him street smart and able to read the play with aplomb. Robbo still remains at the club, working in Simon Woolford's coaching staff. 

4. Leroy Cudjoe, 158 points

Captain, Leader, Legend. Leroy Cudjoe has been all of these things for nearly the entire decade, scoring important tries and being just about the first name of the team sheet for most of the 2010s. His career has seen him play in every season during this decade and his partnership with Jermaine McGillvary has been nothing short of outstanding for his career. 

He also scored that try that we literally had to make a film about.

3. Brett Hodgson, 163 points

Winner of the Man of Steel in 2009, Brett Hodgson played in the 2010 and 2011 Seasons and was credited with starting the revolution that brought the club up from mid-table strugglers to title contenders in a short space of time. His ability to read the play from full-back, come into the line to make chances happen and make the difference in key games was pivotal in his two year spell at the club. 

2. Danny Brough, 170 points

Winner of the Man of Steel in 2013, perpetual kicker of 40/20s and pivotal game-breaking plays, Danny Brough was the lynchpin of the side for much of the decade. His unique style, passion and flair for the game have lead many to wonder whether he's the finest half-back the side has ever seen. 

His performance against Warrington above just shows the class he had, you were never sure what you were going to get but you would always know it would be entertaining.

1. Jermaine McGillvary, 174 points

Before Jermaine McGillvary, there were big and quick wingers. But before Jermaine McGillvary, there wasn't anyone like Jermaine McGillvary. Jerry has been a key part in the success of the Giants, of the National Side and represented a new generation of Huddersfield-born players breaking into the side. 

Jermaine McGillvary was the Giants top tryscorer in 6 of the 10 seasons during this decade and found his way to amassing 676 points in 245 games. He's been lethal, he's been crucial to our success and he's still bringing points in, even in 2019. We'll be he'll do it for a few more years yet - but the 2010s was Jermaine McGillvary's decade in Claret and Gold. 

Check our 30-21 selections

Check our 20-11 selections

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