George Flanagan Jr highlights growing belief in Jim Lenihan's Huddersfield Giants rebuild

The Australian is still searching for his first win after Huddersfield's losing run stretched to nine games during his first six weeks at the helm.

But progress is not always measured in results.

For Lenihan, the challenge was to lay the foundations for a long-term recovery rather than find a quick fix.

He immediately set about restoring Huddersfield's confidence while increasing their fitness levels.

Above all, he is putting the fun back into rugby league for a group of players who had that enjoyment knocked out of them, memorably likening the Giants to someone bitten by a dog who is now frightened of them all.

George Flanagan Jr has experienced that change first-hand.

"Jim is definitely a character," said the 21-year-old. "He's a funny bloke.

"It's not always about rugby; he's really good with everything else away from rugby. He's got good banter with the boys and puts a smile on your face as soon as you see him.

"He's teaching us how to enjoy rugby again. We were all low on confidence, me included, but we're rebuilding that now.

"We're a band of brothers. We're all very, very close. We'll come out of the other side of it and start seeing the rewards of how hard we're training and Jim's philosophies."

The first green shoots could be seen in last week's performance at Wakefield Trinity.

Huddersfield ultimately came up short in agonising fashion but they left Belle Vue with tangible proof that Lenihan's messaging is beginning to take hold.

The pain of the defeat reflected how much expectations within the camp have already shifted.

"It's always very disappointing to lose a game in the dying minutes," said Flanagan. "That's the most disappointed we've been all year.

"It means a hell of a lot to these boys. Jim has brought us all together. He's one of those people you want to go out and play for.

"One thing he's trying to instil in us is to not die and to keep putting up a fight. The Wakefield performance was a step in the right direction."

Perhaps most importantly, the Giants were in the game until the dying seconds.

Lenihan had questioned Huddersfield’s fitness levels after their defeat at St Helens but there are signs that his work behind the scenes is starting to pay off.

"The intensity of training has gone up so much since Jim came in," said Flanagan. "I could see that in our performance last week.

"He wasn't just going to come in and everything was going to change overnight – it was going to be a process.

"We're all on this journey together. We've just got to keep buying into each other. If we can keep putting in performances like last week, I think we can challenge any team.

"Whether it goes our way or it doesn't, at least we can say we've put up a fight."

Saturday's Magic Weekend clash with York Knights represents a test of Huddersfield's growing optimism.

While the Giants are taking baby steps after a steady decline to the foot of Super League, Flanagan views games like this as part of the journey back towards the sport's biggest occasions.

"Magic is a great occasion," he said ahead of the event at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. "I went to watch as a kid and have always loved it.

"York are a good side. They're kind of in the same boat as us a little bit after their good performance (in the win over Castleford Tigers) last week.

"We just want to build on how we played at Wakefield. We can't worry about climbing up the table. We just need to put up a fight in every game.

"We ultimately want to be on big stages like this, not just a team that everyone thinks are going to finish bottom of the table.

"We want to be a club that are fighting for the play-off spots – but we're taking each week as it comes for now."

Huddersfield will take to the field in Liverpool as Super League's basement side with just two wins from their opening 16 games. That record, together with off-field scrutiny, has led to questions about their place in the top flight.

But Flanagan has full belief in the rebuilding project taking shape under Lenihan and the wider direction of the club.

"There's been talk about the club and everyone wants to write Huddersfield off," he said. "They always do.

"I truly believe that the club is going in the right direction. Ken (Davy, owner) would never let this club fall apart. He represents all that's good about the Giants.

"We're not letting that outside noise affect us. Our performances on the field need to be good enough first.

"I see a bright future for Huddersfield. I know things will get better."