How Huddersfield Giants could line-up in 2025 following Liam Sutcliffe signing

Huddersfield Giants had a tricky 2024 season, failing to improve on an also disappointing 2023.

Chris Hill, Innes Senior, Olly Russell, Kevin Naiqama, Adam Milner and, perhaps most devastatingly, Esan Marsters, are all heading out the exit door ahead of 2025.

With that in mind, how could they line-up next year, based on who they have on the books?

Full-back: Ashton Golding

It seems that Jake Connor will be heading to Headingley next year, leaving them without their first-choice number one.

Tui Lolohea played there on occasion last year, but will probably be needed in the halves as things stand, meaning Ashton Golding is likely to be their full-back choice in 2025, barring further recruitment.

Wingers: Adam Swift and Elliot Wallis

The Giants do have a fair few choices on the wings, with Swift back from injury and all of Jake Bibby, Elliot Wallis, Aidan McGowan and Sam Halsall potential options.

Elliot Wallis is most likely to be the first choice, while Bibby is probably a better option in the centres.

Centres: Liam Sutcliffe and Jake Bibby

New signing Liam Sutcliffe is likely to be with the centres in mind, as that’s where he has played recently and because Esan Marsters and Kevin Naiqama are leaving.

Alongside him may be Jake Bibby, but Sam Halsall is also capable of playing here – despite being more natural out wide.

Halves: Adam Clune and Tui Lolohea

They may well be looking for a new half-back, as Clune and Lolohea are the only players on their books that have played in the halves consistently.

Liam Sutcliffe has also played there on occasion, but would be better utilised in the centres.

Front row: Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford and Tom Burgess

Prop Chris Hill and hooker Adam Milner are off, but they’re being replaced with two NRL recruits.

Tom Burgess is back after 12 years away, and he’ll be a strong option in the prop position alongside Oliver Wilson, who has had a particularly solid year.

Meanwhile, Zac Woolford , after reaching the preliminary final of the NSW Cup with Canberra, is on his way to first-grade rugby league for the first time, and seems likely to be the starting number nine next year,

Second row: Harry Rushton, Sam Hewitt and Leroy Cudjoe

A position where they have retained their key names, Rushton, Hewitt and Cudjoe were the first-choice in their positions at the end of the year, once Luke Yates had left, and they’re still with Huddersfield Giants next year.