Brad O'Neill relishing fresh chapter with Wigan Warriors in 2026 - 'That's what excites me'

The last two years have been the typical rollercoaster of rugby league. In 2024, Matt Peet’s side won all four trophies on offer in a truly unprecedented year for the club. But in 2025, the Warriors endured a rare trophyless campaign, having been defeated by Hull KR in the Grand Final.

Whilst O’Neill admits the disappointment still lingers, the homegrown hooker insists it has already been channelled into a positive mindset.

“Probably a bit of a disappointing season in terms of the way it ended,” O’Neill told Wigan TV.

“Obviously, if you look at the season before and what we went on to do, and obviously the season after, not going on to win any silverware, but you come so close in the end… It’s obviously very disappointing, but I feel like we can take a lot of lessons from it and hopefully we can take them forward into this season.”

Rather than dwelling on what might have been, O’Neill says the competitive hunger that drives Wigan never fades, regardless of what happened the previous season.

“I guess you could say that, but I feel like at the start of every season, the want to go on to win and that fuel to the fire is always going to be there anyway," he said. “But I suppose to some of the lads it might be there.”

Looking ahead to 2026, O’Neill believes no drastic changes are needed – just small improvements that could make a big difference throughout the course of the season.

"I wouldn’t say there are any major lessons, just a few little ones for myself and for the team as well, maybe about starting a bit stronger,” he said. “That’s something that we can work on.”

What excites him most, though, is the opportunity to compete again and chase silverware in front of the Warriors faithful.

He said: “The fact that we’ve got another chance to go out week-to-week and compete, play and hopefully get a chance of winning silverware again… That’s what excites me.”

With the 2026 campaign approaching thick and fast, there are a couple of landmark events that O’Neill – who grew up a Warriors season ticket holder – has already circled on his calendar.

“I feel like everybody will say it, but that Good Friday game against Saints,” O’Neill smiled.

"We’ve got a game in Paris against Catalans as well, and obviously the Challenge Cup fixtures – everyone always looks out for them – so there are a few exciting games coming."

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