Fear of play-off slump driving Huddersfield on, says Chan

Only once before – ill-fated St Helens in 2005 – has a side that has finished first then lost both play-off games to drop out of the race for Grand Final glory.

Huddersfield, however, know that fate will befall them tonight if they fail to defeat Hull FC in their sudden-death eliminator at John Smith’s Stadium.

Paul Anderson’s side surrendered a week off and ClubCall for winning the League Leaders’ Shield when they endured a home qualifying play-off defeat to Wigan Warriors last Thursday.

But second-row Chan says he cannot contemplate messing up their second chance of getting to within 80 minutes of what would be the West Yorkshire club’s first Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford.

“We’re not finished in our journey to where we all want to be,” maintained the Papua New Guinea international.

“As the Giants, we want to be at the top performing and winning as much silverware as we can.

“We’ve won the League Leaders’ Shield but that’s gone now.

“We want to be focused on the Grand Final and I couldn’t imagine the disappointment of losing again. We’re going to thrive off that and perform a lot better.

“We’re not done yet. I want to keep winning and hold that silverware over my head again.”

Huddersfield have not won a title in more than 50 years but after their first home loss since May, Chan maintains they can regain their composure to stay on course for that elusive championship.

The relaxed 29-year-old, who joined from the Crusaders ahead of last season, even has no real viewpoint on the merits of Hull, the beaten Challenge Cup finalists who stand in their way.

“To be honest, I don’t really watch rugby,” he revealed. “I just come in here with the lads and do my job and then on the weekend do my job again.

“I honestly haven’t been following Hull – I don’t even know where they are placed. I just know what I have to do to beat my opponents. They’re a good side and it’s going to be a tough battle but I think we’ve learned from Wigan and put it all back together.

“We’re not panicking and don’t feel threatened.”

Leeds Rhinos’ former England captain Jamie Peacock is in line to win a second Man of Steel honour, a decade after his first.

The 2003 winner has been nominated for this year’s award, along with Giants’ Danny Brough and Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan).