McGillvary: We’re getting fitter

Huddersfield winger Jermain McGillvary says a lack of fitness cost the Giants in 2016 and they are worked hard to improve it.

The West Yorkshire club finished bottom of the Super League last year and narrowly avoided the Million Pound Game, securing a slender 23-22 victory against Hull KR.

“There were a lot of games last year where we lost by two and four points,” McGillvary told Love Rugby League.

“I think it was eight to ten games that we lost by that margin and I think a big emphasis was our fitness because we couldn’t see out games.”

Improving endurance has a been a key theme for Huddersfield in pre-season.

“I’m not back until the 12th but I have spoken to a few of the boys and they said they’ve been working really hard on their fitness,” McGillvary said.

“I am expecting when I go back in for there to be a lot of fit boys and endurance wise being a lot better than we was at this stage last season.”

Despite the disappointing campaign, McGillvary admitted the entire team has been in good spirits over the past weeks.

“Everyone seems upbeat,” he said.

“They are all keen to impress and show we’ve improved because this is Stoney’s first pre-season.”

Lee Gaskell, Paul Clough and Dale Ferguson have all arrived at the John Smith’s Stadium during the off-season and McGillvary is happy to be playing alongside the trio next season.

All three have moved from Bradford Bulls, with Ferguson set to spend a second spell with the Giants after a two-year stint between 2011 and 2013.

“They are good players and they’ve been in the Championship for about three years now so they’ll be keen to impress,” he said.

“I still think we’re a bit light as a squad and I’m sure the new coach must think that as well.”