Wakefield Trinity’s head coach, Daryl Powell, admitted that many members of his squad were still in disbelief after the club’s astonishing triumph in the Super League Grand Final – a victory that comes just two years after the team spent a season in the Championship, England’s second‑tier competition. The Wildcats secured their first ever Super League crown with a decisive 23‑10 win over Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.
The victory followed a spectacular semi‑final performance a week earlier, when Wakefield travelled to face the heavily‑favoured Wigan Warriors and dispatched them 33‑6, a result that sent shockwaves through the rugby league community. This championship marks the club’s first league title since 1968, ending a 58‑year drought, and it is all the more remarkable because Wakefield were relegated from the Super League at the end of the 2023 season. They spent the 2024 campaign in the Championship under Powell’s stewardship, only to return to the top flight and claim the ultimate prize. "I’m genuinely amazed by the players and how outstanding they have been," Powell said, his voice tinged with pride.
"It feels great personally, but the achievement belongs to the club, the players, the coaching staff and everything we have built over the last three years – it’s phenomenal." He went on to describe the final weeks of the season as "incredible performances from an unbelievable group of players". "The lads have such confidence in each other that when everyone does their job, anything is possible.
We proved that this year – it’s just immense. The finish to the season has been spectacular, and I could not speak more highly of the boys and everything they do." Powell noted that many of the squad members still struggled to accept what they had accomplished. "There are a few guys who just can’t believe it, that we managed to do all of this. It’s a testament to how good they are, and I’m incredibly proud of the club, the fans and, of course, the players.
They are a joy to coach and be around, which makes the job feel easy." For Powell, now 61, this was his first appearance as a head coach in a Super League Grand Final since 2017, when he led Castleford Tigers to a heavy defeat against Leeds Rhinos. The 2024 triumph carried added personal significance because it came against Warrington – the club where Powell spent two seasons as head coach before being dismissed in 2023. "This is the best achievement of my career," he reflected. "After 2017 I thought I might slip through without ever winning a big final again.
I had a tough spell at Warrington, and to come back and do this with Wakefield is phenomenal. Being at Wakefield feels like coming home, and getting a group of men together who can achieve something special is unbelievable.
I’ve had many great moments in coaching, but this one tops them all." Powell also praised the club’s owner, Matt Ellis, describing him as outspoken and ambitious. He admitted that even his own expectations were exceeded.
"I thought this year might be a year too early for us, but the boys proved me wrong. I imagined the success might come next season, but the reality is we’re here now, and it’s unbelievable. You never know when another chance like this will arise, and there is so much love within this group." He added a touch of sentimentality: "It’s a bit soppy at times, but wow – what a group of men.
I’m proud to be associated with them. It shows that special things can be achieved. Other clubs have done great things, perhaps on different timelines, but this story is extraordinary. From thinking a bloke was trying to sell me a kitchen – that’s Matt Ellis – to lifting the Super League trophy, it’s been an unbelievable three years." Max Jowitt, Wakefield’s long‑serving hooker, shared his emotions with Sky Sports: "A million per cent the highs are worth the lows.
It didn’t feel real that we were playing a Grand Final until we got here today. It’s been a roller‑coaster year for me personally – dropping down to the reserves, struggling for form, then getting my chance at the end of the season.
To have this be my last game for Wakefield is something I’ll never forget." Tom Johnstone, the Rob Burrow Award winner, also expressed his disbelief: "I can’t quite believe it. I keep crying, I can’t help myself!
This club means everything to me; I’ve been saying it for a long time. My dream for the last ten years was to win a Grand Final with Wakefield.
Daryl Powell sold me the dream that we were a club with aspirations and a hunger to win. I believed every word, and now we’re here. We wouldn’t have done this without that belief – we built our foundation on it." The triumph has sparked optimism throughout the Wakefield community. Supporters, who have endured years of disappointment, now revel in a historic moment that could reshape the club’s future.
The victory not only secures a place in the annals of rugby league history but also promises increased investment, greater fan engagement, and a platform for the club to attract top talent. Looking ahead, Powell remains cautiously optimistic. "The club can do anything, really.
We may have thought we were a year early, but the boys have shown us otherwise. I’m thrilled for the players – you can’t write that stuff down, it’s just unbelievable. There’s a lot of love in this team, and while it gets a bit soppy, it’s a testament to what can be achieved when everyone believes." In summary, Wakefield Trinity’s meteoric rise from Championship side to Super League champions within a single season has captured the imagination of rugby league fans worldwide.
Daryl Powell’s leadership, the unwavering belief of the players, and the steadfast support of the club’s ownership and fans have combined to produce a story that will be remembered for generations. The club now looks to build on this historic success, aiming to cement its place among the elite and to inspire future generations of Wildcats.