Huddersfield haven’t had the season they’d have liked. 2021 promised so much but hasn’t delivered. That said, there’s still a lot to be excited about where Giants fans are concerned.
Many are eager to see what Ian Watson does with his squad over the winter believing that once he’s stamped his style and authority over the playing roster the Giants could be a major threat. When you pair that with the quality of their up and coming youngsters, it’s clear that there’s brighter days ahead for the Giants.
Helping fuel the optimism around the club is the signing of Nathan Mason today.
The 28-year-old prop started his career at the Giants back in 2013. After five years with the club he joined London before making the leap to Leigh.
Since joining the Centurions, he’s impressed and has been one of their better players this term as they’ve battled for survival at the bottom of the league. He’s drummed up a lot of interest across Super League but the Giants have now won the race for his signature securing his services for 2022.
Mason has agreed a one-year deal to return to the club and promises to add greater depth and physicality to the Giants pack filling the void left by James Gavet who departed part way through the season.
Speaking about the signing to the Giants’ website, Head Coach Ian Watson said: “He knows the club and he’s been here before. We’re proud of our young guys coming through but Nathan’s gone about it in a different way – he’s gone away and learned and now returns a better player. His desire to play and his desire to represent the Giants is a big plus for us.
“He’s coming back to us having developed into a guaranteed Super League Player. Because he knows the club, he’ll want to play for the shirt and that’s the kind of player we want to build the club on and have as an influence on those younger guys. Bringing Nathan Mason back will show players in the Academy that even if you do go away, we’ll keep an eye on you and you can come back if you work hard.”
Clearly excited by the prospect of having Mason at the club next season, Watson could bring the best out of the prop next term. That’s certainly the view of Mason himself as he expressed his excitement at working with Watson next year: “I’m excited to come back, there’s a lot of lads still here from when I was still here so it feels like coming back home. I’ve matured a fair bit, I’ve learned a whole lot and I’m coming in to prove a few people wrong. I’ve spoken with Ian Watson and Greg Brown and I’m excited to work with the two of them. It’s the first time I’ve worked with him, I’m really excited.”
