Unfancied Wakefield reach first Super League Grand Final after shock win over Wigan
Wakefield Trinity stunned Wigan to reach their first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October.
"Daryl put a Powerpoint presentation on the screen, and said 'You could be legends of this club', and that was it," Tom Johnstone told BBC Radio 5 live, reflecting on the message that has swept through the squad.
Wakefield's last sustained success at the top level came in the 1960s, when players such as Derek 'Rocky' Turner, Neil Fox MBE, Don Fox, Harold Poynton and Ken Rollin featured, and the club have not won the title since 1968. Belle Vue, now the DIY Kitchens Stadium, has produced memorable nights since, including a 2006 win that relegated rivals Castleford and secured Wakefield's safety, but this season has been framed by players and staff as an opportunity to move beyond survival and compete for major honours.
Owner Matt Ellis, who arrived as a fan and is described in the club's coverage as a successful kitchen magnate, has overseen a marked transformation; he has been hands-on with stadium renovation standards and finish, built on work begun by former custodians Michael Carter and John Minards, and pushed to appoint Daryl Powell as head coach soon after taking control. "Everything has changed from the top to the bottom," Johnstone added, crediting improved facilities, belief and ambition inside the club.
Ellis and Powell's partnership has coincided with promotion back to Super League, Wembley success in the 1895 Cup and back-to-back play-off appearances, all culminating in this Old Trafford opportunity. Powell, who had enjoyed success at Featherstone and Castleford before a stint at Warrington ended prematurely, said: "I've been super-fortunate to get to a club that I've felt at home in straight away," and added: "I feel like we've got all that mix right and the ownership is great which sets us up - we're just in a zone where we're all proud of each other and I know that's that's pretty special." The coaching group includes Michael Shenton, Ste Mills, former player Danny Kirmond and Stu Dickens.
Powell has reunited with familiar players and added recruitment targets from varied backgrounds: Jake Trueman and Mike McMeeken returned to work with Powell, McMeeken having been part of the 2017 Tigers side that lost to Leeds in the Grand Final and arriving at Wakefield from Catalans as a statement signing. The squad also includes Ky Rodwell from NRL side Parramatta, ex-Cronulla reserve grader Caleb Hamlin-Uele, and recent additions such as Caius Faatili, brought in from Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2025, plus Isaiah Vagana and Samoa international Jazz Tevaga. "Daryl's really shown how good of a coach he is just how he's brought players in that probably may not have been picked up because of not being as well known," McMeeken told BBC Sport. "For example Caius, not many clubs would have known about him but he's seen the potential in him and the good thing is, I think he's only about 23 or 24 so it's quite scary to see how far people like him can actually go."
Wakefield finished fourth in the regular season, then won a home eliminator against Leigh before dismantling treble-chasing Wigan in the semi-final to secure their place at Old Trafford. More than 30,000 tickets have been sold for Trinity's end at Old Trafford, nudging the expected attendance past 70,000, and fans can follow commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Sounds; highlights will be available from 23:00 BST on Saturday, 3 October on iPlayer and on BBC Two at 13:45 BST on Sunday.
The club's fanbase, described in coverage as committed, loyal and vocal, has responded visibly to the run; Johnstone — who started his professional career with Wakefield and has had two spells culminating in 123 tries in 162 games — said: "It'd mean everything to us but I think it would mean more to them. They've always been proud of the club but there's not been too much to be proud of in the past 20 years so it'd be amazing for them, it'd be special." He added an anecdote on local support: "I got stopped on the way to school with my kids the other day by someone saying 'Come on Wakefield!' and it's just good to see the club and the city going that way."
Wakefield will face Warrington Wolves in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, kick-off 18:00 BST.