Thursday 3 September 2015 10:54, UK
Huddersfield forward Eorl Crabtree believes the Giants have never been better placed to win the Super League title.
A win over Castleford at the John Smith's Stadium on Thursday night, when Crabtree is set to make his 400th appearance for the club, will put the third-placed Giants four points clear of their West Yorkshire rivals with three matches left of the Super 8s and within touching distance of the semi-finals.
"This is the best group I've played in," said 32-year-old prop Crabtree, who made his debut for his home-town club 14 years ago.
"We've got some of the best individuals and it's a well-rounded group with more strength in depth.
"We're in a position now where the players can actually go on and do something. It's taken a while to get to that stage. I think we've improved year after year and now we're ready to make that next step, which is winning a major trophy. That's what we're aspiring to do."
Crabtree, one of seven ever-presents this year, will be part of an unchanged Huddersfield team who will be looking to pick up from where they left off in their win at defending champions St Helens a fortnight ago.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell, on the other hand, must make changes for a match they need to win after defeat last time out against Catalans Dragons saw them lose ground in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
The Tigers take on fourth-placed St Helens next Thursday and Powell admits the next two fixtures are pivotal to their season.
"There's no doubt about that," he said. "Huddersfield are the only team we haven't beaten this year.
"They've been too good for us on two occasions but that doesn't mean to say it's going to happen in the third. The Saints game is another key one."
Powell brings in Luke Dorn and Denny Solomona for injured captain Michael Shenton and suspended winger Justin Carney, whose left-wing partnership harvested 12 tries in the last five matches.
"Obviously it's tough losing your captain and left winger when they've been so good for us this year but it's a challenge we've got to face," Powell said. "There's no point worrying about what's happened, we've got to just get on with it.
"One thing we've got is a pretty strong spirit and durability about us and we'll be hoping to use that in our favour on Thursday night."
Watch Huddersfield v Castleford live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 7.30pm on Thursday. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
