16 Apr 2020

The Big Interview: Brett Hodgson

Former Giants full-back discusses his arrival at the Giants, the 2009 Challenge Cup Semi Final and the best player he played with at the club.

By Joe Buck

Brett Hodgson has described Huddersfield’s 2009 Challenge Cup semi-final victory over St Helens as “a game that I will never forget.”

Most Giants fans will agree with the former Huddersfield-star who played a pivotal role in ensuring Huddersfield’s place at Wembley.

"The win against St Helens was my most enjoyable game for the Huddersfield Giants. No one expected us to beat a favoured St Helens side that boasted many international players." Hodgson said.

“It was the highlight during my time at Huddersfield. A game that I will never forget.”

“We believed we could [win the game], and that was all that mattered to us on the day.”

“I remember how tense that game was and when Stephen Wild scored the try late in the game to make the Challenge Cup Final, the feeling of satisfaction and excitement was overwhelming, I still get excited thinking about it.”

2009 was also a very successful year for Hodgson individually as he scooped the 2009 Man of Steel Award, becoming the first Giants player to receive the honour.

However, the fullback was quick to heap praise onto his teammates, believing that without them, he would not have received the honour.

“It was a huge surprise to win the Man of Steel award in 2009. It is also an award that you never win alone.”

“We had so many talented players like Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson, Stephen Wild, etc. who performed extremely well week after week.”

"In order to receive personal accolades, everyone needs to be successful as a collective and the efforts of the entire squad meant that we won many games that year.”

“So, my appreciation for that award equals my appreciation for the amount of effort every player in that team put in every single week.”

But who would Hodgson say was the stand-out player of this side which came so close to finally bringing silverware back to Huddersfield?

“There were many very good players in my time at the Giants. But the best player I played with during my time there was Kevin Brown.”

“Kevin was very good at getting a team around the field and knew when he needed the ball in his hands.”

“I always used to feel that whenever he or I could see an opportunity, we clicked and a lot of times that opportunity paid off.”

“He was also very tough defensively which I loved about his style of play. Kevin is still a great mate of mine.”

Hodgson also has a message for the Giants fans who supported him throughout his time in Yorkshire.

"I would like to thank every Huddersfield Giants fan for the support they showed me during my time at this prestigious club."

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