Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'To win the League Leaders' Shield shows how consistent the team has been...'

Our panel of Wigan Warriors experts run the rule over securing the League Leaders’ Shield and being just 80 minutes away from the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford...

David Bailey:

A relatively straightforward victory ended with the Warriors securing their second piece of silverware in 2026.

Despite an early response from the Dragons, the result was never really in danger. Liam Farrell was given a rousing reception and responded with a trademark try.

Wigan had that much in the tank that they could afford to move Bevan French, Jai Field, Brad O'Neill and Ollie Partington to the bench as the game closed out.

Whilst Leeds stuttered to defeat against Hull FC, the Warriors clinched the Shield in style and now enjoy the luxury of a fortnight off to ensure everyone is fresh and ready. We’re just 80 minutes away from Old Trafford and are on the brink of an unprecedented second treble in three years.

I believe the Warriors have spent a few days away from it all at a training camp.

This will no doubt help focus and increase the camaraderie that is so obvious under the guidance of Matt Peet and Kris Radlinski. They really do know how to prepare the team for the big occasion, and I have every faith Wigan will turn up for the semi-final, but we need to fill the Brick Community Stadium again.

Peet has a real selection headache because Farrell is apparently fit and firing. Kian McDermott and Shea O'Connor have hardly put a foot wrong.

Having watched the Reserves Grand Final last weekend, it is incredible to think that O'Connor is on the brink of a third Grand Final this season. What a story that would be for the teenage rookie prop. He has a bright future ahead of him, that's for sure.

Sadly, Warrington put all of their eggs in the Super League basket, meaning we were robbed of a competitive Reserves final, but not many in cherry and white will be complaining.

Considering the only quota player that Peet has signed since taking the top job has been Adam Keighran, and the fact if he wins the Grand Final, he will be the outright leader in terms of trophies won as a coach in the Super League era... With four seasons of his contract left, and a settled, relatively young team, he could well end up as the most successful coach ever.

How he is unlikely to be Coach of the Year, when competing for his second treble in three years, is mind-blowing. However, having seen the Dream Team only feature Brad O'Neill and Zach Eckersley from the Warriors this season, I take these awards with a pinch of salt. Keighran and Harry Smith can count themselves very unlucky.

Potentially, just three games remain for the women’s first-team and men’s first-team. Three wins will ensure a clean sweep across the men, women, reserves and academy in a season that could go down as the greatest for the club.

Darren Wrudd:

When a team like Catalans turns up with nothing to lose, it can be a dangerous game. However, as the game wore on, they seemed to be less inclined to do the hard stuff, as the scoreline showed.

It did not dull the occasion, though, with several highlights really standing out. To win the League Leaders’ Shield shows how consistent the team has been through the year and is a great measure of that.

My own favourite moments, though, were both centred around one Mr Farrell.

As our captain took to the field, much of the stadium were on their feet to welcome him and remind him how much he is cherished. But when he went over the line for a try, the eruption of love for the guy almost lifted the roof with the roar of joy.

Last Saturday, we were present at the awards dinner when Farrell was given his place in the club’s Hall of Fame. You could not get a more humble and respectful character as we watched his reaction to the accolade. Congratulations Liam, hard-earned and well-deserved my dear fellow.

Speaking of the awards, I used to think Micky McIlorum was the coolest dude on the ranch, but he has serious competition with the dapper dressed current number nine O’Neill.

He wafted onto the stage dressed to the nines to collect his award, with all the class of a 1950s Hollywood heartthrob! Who would have known, given his on field persona, that he would scrub up so well?!

Of course, finishing top of the league gives us the bonus of a week off, so the lads can refresh and reboot with a training camp in Harrogate.

It’s not a holiday, though, but a controlled and precisely constructed chance to train hard, recover well and enjoy the company of each other without any distractions. This is the level of detail that our club staff build, and why we have two of the three trophies for 2026 already in the cabinet.

We’re just 80 minutes away from getting to Old Trafford, and then we know we can beat anyone on our day.

Finally, a hearty congratulations to O’Neill and Eckersley for their inclusion in this year’s Dream Team. But if I am honest, I was surprised at some selections, and after Smith ran rings around Jake Connor a couple of weeks ago, as he has all season, I thought he was most unlucky not to feature.