Crabtree wants something special
Huddersfield star Eorl Crabtree feels something special could be in the air when the Giants travel to face Warrington Wolves for an intriguing Engage Super League play-off tie at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday (6.15)
The Giants made it through to the Eliminations Semi-finals with a hard-fought 18-12 victory against Crusaders RL last Saturday and Crabtree knows his side will need to improve if they are to make it all the way to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 2.
“We were massively relieved to get the win against Crusaders,” said the England prop. “We thought our season might be ending a little bit too early but we battled hard and we went right to the end so it was good to get the victory.
“However we were quite disappointed with the performance. Our attack was very bad and we were disappointed with the way it went.
“The weather didn’t help but defensively we were really good and that’s something we’ll look to continue but in attack we’ll have to improve.
“We know we can improve and all the boys are confident that we can do something special against Warrington, it’s just a case of putting in the right performance on the day.”
Crabtree has become an icon in Huddersfield having played for the club since 2000, but as he comes towards the end of a decade’s service with the club his tenure has been disappointingly trophyless.
“Unfortunately for me I’ve not won anything at Huddersfield,” said Crabtree. “Apart from the Buddies and National League One titles that is.
“But it’s not something that I think about too much but I would like to win something here. I’d like to follow in the footsteps of my granddad, who has a Challenge Cup winners medal so maybe just to get to a Grand Final would be nice.”
This could be Crabtree’s lucky season as many are backing Huddersfield as dark horses to go all the way and be crowned champions and the 6ft 6in giant is full of confidence.
“In the game against Crusaders we were nowhere near good enough,” he said. “That’ not taking anything away from Crusaders because they played really well and it was a hard fought-out game, but Warrington are probably a different class and we need to improve massively and that’s something we’re capable of doing.
“The games don’t get any easier but you’ve got to play the top teams to win the championship so it’s a case of getting stuck in and doing as good as we can.”
Victory on Saturday would see Huddersfield join Wigan Warriors or Hull Kingston Rovers as one of the clubs who could be selected by St Helens at the Club Call announcement the following day.