Sean O'Loughlin 'deserves' to go out a Grand Final winner

Wigan coach Adrian Lam says his team will go into next Friday's Grand Final with extra motivation to ensure long-serving captain Sean O'Loughlin bows out on a high.
The scene of the semi-finalThe scene of the semi-final
The scene of the semi-final

The veteran loose forward, who is retiring at the end of the season, will make his 459th appearance for his home-town club at the KCOM Stadium against the winners of Friday's second semi-final between St Helens and Catalans Dragons.

"I feel playing in a Grand Final next week is the ideal way for Sean O'LoughIin to go out and we'll work really hard to make sure he goes out a winner," Lam said. "There's that extra reason to play.

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"Lockers deserves that. You can't underestimate what's he done for our sport. I'm sure he's got some young children who look up to him and play rugby league for that reason.

"We left him out last week so he would have another week to prepare for this one.

"He's highly respected by all of his peers and just having him in that dressing room before they went out to warm up and play certainly gives them a lift and it hits opposition in the heart a bit too when they see his name in there."

The former England captain, who was given guard of honour by his team-mates as he left the field at the DW Stadium for the final time, told Sky Sports: "I'm overwhelmed that we've made the Grand Final.

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"I was honoured I got the opportunity to play one more game here and it would be special if we won next week.

"There's not going to be an opportunity to celebrate with the fans but just to win one more trophy would make it special for this group of boys. It's been a strange year but I feel it's brought us together.