Daryl Powell, the head coach of Wakefield Trinity, admitted that many members of his squad were still in disbelief after their extraordinary triumph in the Super League Grand Final – a victory that came just two years after the club had been competing in the English second tier. The Wildcats secured their first ever Super League championship by defeating Warrington Wolves 23-10 at Old Trafford, capping a week that also saw them obliterate heavy favourites Wigan Warriors 33-6 in the semi‑finals. This landmark win ended a 58‑year wait for a top‑flight title, the previous league triumph dating back to 1968, and it was all the more astonishing because Wakefield had been relegated from the Super League at the end of the 2023 season and were playing the 2024 campaign in the Championship under Powell’s guidance.
"I’m simply amazed by the players and how good they’ve been," Powell said, his voice tinged with both pride and wonder. "It’s a fantastic feeling for me personally, but the real story is the club, the players, the coaching staff – everything we’ve built over the past three years is phenomenal." He went on to describe the last two weeks of the season as a series of "incredible performances" from what he called "an unbelievable group of players." Powell highlighted the confidence that now permeates the squad: "The boys trust each other completely. If we all do our jobs, we can achieve anything.
We proved that this year, and the feeling is just immense." The coach praised the finish to the campaign, calling it "amazing" and insisting that he could not speak highly enough of the men he works with every day. "There are several lads who still can’t believe what we’ve done. It’s a testament to how good they are, and I’m incredibly proud of the club, the fans, and especially the players. They make my job a joy – it’s almost effortless when you’re surrounded by such dedication." 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 victory carried extra emotional weight because it came against Warrington, a club where Powell had spent two seasons as head coach before being dismissed in 2023. "This is the best achievement of my career," he reflected. "After 2017 I feared I might never win a big final again.
My time at Warrington was difficult, and to return to Wakefield and deliver this trophy is phenomenal. Being at Wakefield feels like coming home, and gathering a group of men capable of such special moments is unbelievable. I’ve had many great moments in coaching, but this tops them all." Powell also credited the club’s outspoken owner, Matt Ellis, whose ambition and support have been instrumental in the turnaround. The coach confessed that even he had not expected a title this season, believing the team might need another year to mature.
"I thought this year might be a year too early, but the boys proved me wrong. I imagined next year, maybe, but the reality is we’ve already achieved the impossible." He emphasized the love and camaraderie within the squad, noting that while the emotions can get "a bit soppy," the pride he feels for the group is genuine.
"It shows that special things can be achieved when you have belief and unity. Other clubs have had great successes, but our story is unique – from a skeptical owner who seemed to be selling me a kitchen to lifting the Super League trophy. It’s been an unbelievable three years." Wakefield’s Max Jowitt shared his perspective with Sky Sports, describing the emotional roller‑coaster of the season.
"The highs are a million times worth the lows. It didn’t feel real that we were playing a Grand Final until we got there. After dropping to the reserves and struggling for form, I got my chance late in the year, and this being my last game for Wakefield, I’ll never forget it." Tom Johnstone, the Rob Burrow Award winner, also expressed his disbelief. "I keep crying, I can’t help myself!
It’s been the longest week of my life. To step onto that field and make it happen – I have no words. This club means everything to me; my dream for the past ten years was to win a Grand Final with Wakefield.
Daryl Powell sold me the vision that we were a club with real aspirations, and I believed every word. We wouldn’t be here without that belief; we built our foundation on it." The triumph marks a dramatic reversal of fortune for Wakefield Trinity, a club that had been relegated just a season earlier and was expected by many to spend several years rebuilding in the Championship. Instead, under Powell’s leadership and with the backing of a determined ownership, the Wildcats crafted a narrative that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in modern rugby league history. Looking ahead, Powell believes the momentum can be sustained.
"This club can do anything, really. I felt like this year might have been premature, but the boys have shown me otherwise.
There’s a lot of love in this group, and while it can get emotional, it’s also the fuel that drives us forward. I’m proud to be associated with these men, and I’m convinced we can continue to achieve extraordinary things together." In summary, Wakefield Trinity’s historic Grand Final victory is a story of resilience, belief, and the power of collective effort. From the shock of relegation to the euphoria of lifting the Super League trophy, the journey underscores how a clear vision, strong leadership, and unwavering player confidence can transform a club’s destiny in a remarkably short period.