Wakefield Trinity’s head coach Daryl Powell has confessed that many members of his squad were left in disbelief after the club secured a historic Super League Grand Final win – a triumph that came just two years after the team had been competing in England’s second‑tier Championship. The Wildcats lifted the Super League trophy for the first time ever, beating Warrington Wolves 23‑10 at Old Trafford.
The victory came a week after they had travelled to face overwhelming favourites Wigan Warriors in the semi‑finals, where they produced a stunning 33‑6 demolition. This achievement marked Wakefield’s first league title since 1968, ending a 58‑year wait, and was all the more astonishing because the club had been relegated from the Super League at the end of the 2023 season and spent 2024 in the Championship under Powell’s guidance. "I’m genuinely amazed by the players and the level they’ve reached," Powell said in the post‑match interview.
"It feels great personally, but what matters most is what we’ve built together over the past three years – it’s phenomenal." He went on to praise the collective effort, noting that the final two weeks of the campaign had produced “incredible performances from an unbelievable group of players.” Powell highlighted the confidence that now permeates the squad: "The boys trust each other completely. When everyone does their job, we can achieve anything. That’s the feeling we’ve had all season – it’s immense." The coach could not hide his pride, calling the season’s climax “an amazing finish.” He added that many of the men still find it hard to accept what they have accomplished: "There are several lads who still can’t believe we’ve done this. 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." For Powell, who is 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 by Leeds Rhinos. The 2024 victory felt even sweeter because it came against Warrington – a club Powell himself had coached for two seasons 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, so to return to Wakefield and deliver this success is phenomenal. Being at Wakefield feels like coming home, and assembling a group of men capable of doing something special is unbelievable.
I’ve had many great moments, but this tops them all." Powell also credited the club’s ambitious owner, Matt Ellis, for creating an environment that allowed the team to exceed even the coach’s own expectations. He admitted that, just a few months ago, he thought the title might be a year away, yet the players proved him wrong. "I used to think we were a season early, that next year would be the one. The boys have shown me otherwise.
It’s hard to put into words how proud I am – it’s simply unbelievable. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and the love within this group is palpable. Yes, it gets a bit soppy, but what a fantastic group of men we have.
It proves that extraordinary things are possible." Powell reflected on the club’s journey, noting that while other teams have achieved success on different timelines, Wakefield’s story stands out. He joked that he once thought the owner was trying to sell him a kitchen, yet three years later they were lifting the Super League trophy. Max Jowitt, speaking to Sky Sports, summed up the emotions of the squad: "The highs are a million per cent worth the lows.
It didn’t feel real that we were in a Grand Final until we actually got there. It’s been a roller‑coaster year for me personally – I dropped to the reserves, struggled for form, but got my chance later in the season. To finish my Wakefield career with this win is something I’ll never forget." Tom Johnstone, the Rob Burrow Award winner, also shared his disbelief: "I keep crying, I can’t help it!
This club means everything to me. My dream for the last ten years has been to win a Grand Final with Wakefield.
Daryl Powell sold us a dream of ambition and winning, and I believed every word. We wouldn’t be here without that belief – it’s the foundation of everything we’ve built." The triumph marks a remarkable turnaround for a club that was relegated just a year earlier. It also underscores Powell’s ability to rebuild, inspire confidence, and foster a culture where players trust each other and the wider organisation. As the celebrations continue, the Wildcats and their supporters can relish a story that will be remembered for generations – a narrative of resilience, ambition, and the sheer joy of achieving the impossible after nearly six decades of waiting.