Matty Smith reflects on Wigan Warriors’ unbeaten academy season after Grand Final win - ‘Really proud’

Wigan Warriors academy head coach Matty Smith says his side can be proud of an unbeaten campaign after they were crowned Academy Grand Final champions.

The Warriors beat Warrington Wolves 36-16 in front of a 2,329-strong crowd at the Brick Community Stadium earlier this month to complete an unbeaten season.

Reflecting on the year as a whole, Smith admitted it had not always been straightforward despite Wigan’s impressive record.

“There’s so much to say about the season,” said Smith. “We’ve obviously gone unbeaten, and we’ve been great in some of our performances at times, but we’ve not had it all our own way either.

“There’s been times when we’ve been behind in games, there’s been times where we’ve not quite been at it in training, but I think that’s the course of a season, that’s the journey you’re on, but we’ve found a way every time to react to that and come good.

“I think to go unbeaten all season... The final wasn’t our best performance of the year, but these games are about toughening out because I think it was a little bit cagey at times for both teams - but we found our way in the end. I thought we came strong in the second half, so I’m just made up for the group and all of the lads.

“The players have played their part in that. Everyone has played in at least one game, so I’m just made up for them that they got over the line.

“In what was a tough year last year in my first year, I think this year we’ve reacted to that. Obviously, some new players have come in, but it’s just been a great year all-round and one I’m really proud of and proud to be involved in. A lot of credit has got to go to the players.”

The Academy Grand Final was also the first time the majority of the squad had played at the Brick Community Stadium, adding another challenge to the occasion.

“It was the first time everyone had played at this stadium,” Smith continued. “Some might get the chance to do it more and more, and some might not.

“I thought they dealt with that (occasion) well. It’s the start of their careers for most of them - hopefully they’ll kick on and do much bigger things than this, but it was a massive occasion for them.

“When you’ve not been on this stage before, it’s difficult, it’s difficult to play in front of a crowd and a stadium you’ve never played at, so credit to the players.

“They reacted well from the first half, and they came home strong. It shows their strength, and I think you’ll see a lot more of these playing at this stadium in years to come.”