Huddersfield Giants legend Eorl Crabtree is excited about the upcoming 2021 Betfred Super League season and what the team and head coach Ian Watson can achieve.
The former player now turned club ambassador believes Watson can guide the team to great things.
Crabtree told Huddersfield Hub: “I am very excited about the upcoming season especially with our new coach Ian Watson. He is probably the best British coach in the game.
“We have really gone for it this year and Ken Davy has seen an opportunity to create something special.
“Ian was at Salford previously where he got a team to a Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final in two years. He’s done that with a team you wouldn’t have expected to get there. He has now come to Huddersfield, brought in some new players and changed the team set up.
“He has also brought in physio Greg Brown who personally helped me play for my country and got me fit.”
Crabtree thinks that club chairman Mr Davy has been smart. With the announcement of the cut-price season ticket offer, coupled with the excitement about the team, Crabtree thinks the Giants could be onto a winning formula.
“Ken Davy has announced some amazing season ticket offers to try and attract a crowd in when we can have fans back,” said Crabtree.
“He’s appointed one of the best coaches in the game who has put an unbelievable team together to take the field. We can’t do much more at the club, we are doing all we can to be successful.
“We are realistically looking to now challenge those top teams. You have St Helens there and Wigan who are normally at the top.
“If you aren’t ready to put your body on the line in Rugby League then you’ll get turned over. There is no reason at all why we can’t challenge those top teams and reach a final.”
The Giants have built a strong squad for the upcoming campaign. Bringing new talent in the likes of Jack Ashworth from St Helens and Josh Jones from Hull FC. The John Smith’s Stadium side have also managed to bring in Ricky Luetele from Melbourne Storm.
As well as the new players Crabtree is looking forward to seeing, he also insists that the Giants have the best player in the whole league.
Crabtree said: “We probably have the best player in the league. Our captain Aidan Sezer is an unbelievable player, and I’m not hyping him up too much at all by saying that. He would have won Man of Steel last year if it wasn’t due to the fact it was decided on percentage of how many games you’d played.”
More generally Crabtree expects this Super League season to be an exciting one. The 38-year-old believes anyone can beat anyone on their day.
He said: “I think Leeds Rhinos have strengthened well, although they have picked up some injuries. Saints always look good, they are the team to beat. I think Wigan also look good, they are a tough team to beat with some big names in there.
“The thing that’s special about Rugby League and Super League in particular is that whilst those teams are at the top usually the bottom clubs can beat anyone on their day.
“No one really knows how players will react after a long lay off and disrupted pre-season. Things are left wide open and that’s why it’s unpredictable this year.”
The Giants launch the 2021 season with a trip to Hull FC on Sunday March 28 (12.30) in a game screened live on Sky Sports.
