Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp is turning the accent on youth as the Giants look to build on their success of 2007.
Sharp's men followed up their 2006 Challenge Cup final appearance by reaching the Super League play-offs for the first time last season and he is confident of maintaining the revival of one of the game's traditional sleeping giants.
Sharp has been less active than normal in the transfer market but, in clearing out three thirtysomethings in Robbie Paul, Brad Drew and Paul Reilly, he has brought the average age of the team down while at the same time reducing the club's dependence on overseas players.
Among the newcomers are Kiwi Test centre Paul Whatuira, Australian hooker George Gatis and the Salford pairing of Luke Robinson and David Hodgson, while Sharp has promoted local youngsters Richard Lopag, Michael Lawrence, James Martin and Chris Lawson from the academy.
"I'm delighted with the make-up of the squad," Sharp told a press conference at the club's pre-season media day at the Galpharm Stadium.
"Things have changed from the dark days of meeting players in pub car parks and basically begging them to come to the club. Of our last five signings, four are internationals and one was the best nine in the NRL last year."
Huddersfield attracted some criticism for their willingness to part company with hooker Drew, 32, who has been one of their key playmakers for the last two seasons but joined Wakefield in the winter.
In his place Sharp has recruited Gatis while Robinson will be expected to take on many of the playmaking duties, but without the pressure of leadership.
"It's about re-generation and looking to the future," he added. "Our recruitment strategy has been based on youth and development, especially young English players.
"We only have one player over 30 and one of the biggest number of English players.
"We're not a team that relies on one player. We're very much a systems-orientated team that rely on each other doing their job. Luke - or anyone else - is not going to be given the job of running this team.
"I know there was a lot of responsibility placed on Luke at Salford and for a young player that can be difficult.
"We're going to challenge him to be the best player he can be. His enthusiasm is infectious and it's important to keep that fine balance."
The new signings will all make their first appearances against Hull in the Paul King testimonial match at the KC Stadium on Sunday.
The Giants broke with tradition by swapping their usual Portuguese warm-weather training camp for three days in Manchester, based at Sale Sharks' Carrington venue.
"I believe we needed a change," explained Sharp. "We have had three days in Manchester and done everything we would have probably done in Portugal but with three days to spare."
The club enjoyed average crowds in excess of 7,000 last year - their highest for more than 40 years - and are hoping for a club Super League record attendance of 14,000 for the opening home game against Leeds on February 10.
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