Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell revealed members of his playing squad were in shock following their stunning Super League Grand Final victory, two years on from playing in England's second tier. Wakefield were crowned Super League champions for the first time in the club's history with a resounding 23-10 victory over Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final at Old Trafford, a week on from travelling to huge favourites Wigan Warriors and dispatching of them 33-6 in the semi-finals. The success proved Wakefield's first league title for 58 years dating back to 1968, and all the more remarkable considering they were relegated from Super League in 2023, playing the 2024 season in the Championship under Powell.
"I'm just amazed really at the players and how good they've been," Powell said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "Obviously it's pretty sweet for me as an individual but for the club, the players, the coaching staff, everything that we've built up over the last three years is phenomenal. "We've been building for a while but the last two weeks in particular have been just incredible performances from an unbelievable group of players.
"The boys have got such confidence in each other, that if we all do our jobs then we can do anything we want. We've done that this year. "It's been an amazing finish to the season, wow.
I couldn't speak more highly of the boys about everything they do, really. "I know there's quite a few boys in there who just can't believe it. That we've been able to do all that.
"But it's just a testament to how good they are. I'm so proud of everything. The club, the fans - the way that they've been - obviously the players.
They are just such a pleasure to coach and be around. It makes it an easy job." For Powell, 61, it was his first time leading a side out in a Super League Grand Final since 2017, when he was Castleford Tigers head coach and lost heavily to Leeds Rhinos. Saturday's success was made even sweeter for Powell by the fact it came against Warrington, where he coached for two seasons before being dismissed in 2023.
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