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Dave Craven: Brough could be final piece in jigsaw to land title for Giants
SOME people are scratching their heads attempting to figure out just why Nathan Brown is so keen to get Danny Brough to Huddersfield Giants.
It should be a no-brainer. After all, Brough has the best all-round kicking game in Super League, is a genuine matchwinner with electric pace, has an eye for a gap and can pick out a wide variety of defence-splitting passes.
He is everything you want in a scrum-half even to the extent he has that bit of mongrel inside him which can snarl at any given moment, opportune or otherwise. Andy Gregory but with dodgier hair.
But there's the rub. Huddersfield, who let's face it, are moving along quite smoothly without the Wakefield man, already have a fine No 7 in Luke Robinson.
His partnership with Kevin Brown destroyed Wakefield a fortnight ago and last week it helped Huddersfield to their first Super League victory over Leeds since 2003, a triumph which has seen the Giants now labelled by many as Yorkshire's top club.
There is no doubt that on the back of last season's exploits, their start this time around and, given injury-hit Leeds's stuttering early-season form,they are evolving into a leading light.
However, what Brown wants to make certain of is that they are not only the top club in Yorkshire but the top club in Super League come the end of the year: Brough's capture will be crucial if that aim is to be achieved.
The fact Giants are willing to stump up a fee now for the ex-Hull man, even though he will be a free agent in November, speaks volumes about the importance they see in him.
It is down to two reasons: they do not want to risk losing Brough to their rivals when he comes onto the market in a few months time.
Also, more pertinently, it seems Huddersfield have sensed that 2010 – not 2011 – is their time to make their move in the title race.
They would probably have felt next season, with Brough in situ and another year's experience under their belts, would see Brown's improving squad mature perfectly to hopefully break Leeds's recent monopoly of Super League.
But why wait?
Brown knows they are within touching distance now and, considering the champions' problems and the openness of the competition so far, realises his men are capable of success this time around, more so if Brough can be delivered.
He could be the final ingredient needed in the mix and, whatever cash is spent to get him to the Galpharm early, the investment will be miniscule if it reaps the intended rewards.
There is no doubting Robinson's ability but neither him nor Kevin Brown possess an outstanding kicking game.
That aspect of the sport is becoming increasingly pivotal in deciding the outcome of matches and Brough is peerless.
With Robinson shifting to hooker, Huddersfield will also have a new kicking option out of dummy half, augmenting Brough's classic repertoire, and it could see them become an irresistable force.
Everything else is in place. They have an excellent pack, boasting some huge forwards, have pace and guile in the three-quarters in front of the best full-back in the competition.
Huddersfield were close last season, finishing third and reaching the Challenge Cup final only to disappoint both in the play-offs and in the Wembley showpiece.
That was largely down to the untimely injury to Kevin Brown which left their attacking game unhinged, a lack of a true stand-off replacement ruining their creativity.
They do not want to suffer the same fate again and Brough's signing would help ensure it does not.
One player does not make a team. But Danny Brough could make Huddersfield champions.
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