Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'We will need to be at our best to get to Old Trafford...'

Our panel of Wigan Warriors experts run the rule over last week’s play-off eliminators and Saturday’s mouthwatering semi-final clash against Wakefield Trinity, with a spot in the Super League Grand Final at stake...

David Bailey:

Finals footy has arrived, and this week it heads to The Brick, where the Warriors welcome Wakefield Trinity.

Wigan are just 80 minutes away from a fourth consecutive Grand Final and look to keep their hopes alive for an unprecedented second treble in three years.

Wakefield didn’t need to shine too much to beat Leigh. After a few shaky performances (no pun intended), Wakey have found a little extra and had a nice little run by beating Wire and Leigh twice.

The stupidity of Emre Guler may well have a bearing on the result as well. Wakefield may well need to reshuffle their pack to try and preserve their impact players in Caius Faatili and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, but either way, they will be low on middles.

Wigan, well, what can we say? Jake Wardle could return, and Liam Farrell is seemingly available. There will be no excuses for the Warriors this weekend.

I am not sure how Matt Peet will go. Kian McDermott has been brilliant and would be unlucky to lose his place to Farrell.

Likewise, do we switch Kaide Ellis to being an impact middle now that we have second-rowers available? Ellis and Patrick Mago have both excelled when faced with Wakefield’s bench this season.

The backs, well, Wardle surely plays if he is 100 per cent. Again though, Austin Daniel will be unlucky to not feature, having been so consistent and having had a super game in the League Leaders’ Shield decider versus Leeds.

Fingers crossed, Wigan can take one step closer to helping Peet become the outright most successful coach in the summer era. Wakefield won’t be easy, but the Warriors just seem on it.

The Warriors Women also face York in the Women’s Super League Grand Final at the Brick on Sunday.

York have found a way to win and, despite being unfancied, have barrelled their way to the final. Wigan will be stinging from that sole defeat this season, and they have enough talent and experience to right those wrongs, but again, it will be another difficult game.

Finally, a word on the Man of Steel. I was intrigued to see Wigan dominate the last shortlist, and even more surprised to see Adam Keighran make the final three.

Brad O’Neill, for me, has been outstanding all season and would be a worthy winner for what Steve Prescott stood for.

Lachie Miller, whilst having a great season overall, just doesn’t feel like a deserving winner. You could say Brodie Croft and Jake Connor have been more influential in that team, yet neither of them will get a sniff.

I do not pay too much attention to the Dream Team and Man of Steel as it is subjective and chosen too early. I understand why, but it’s like the League Leaders’ Shield - it is nice when your players get it, but it is not what everybody really wants.

Glynn Bradshaw:

It is semi-final time, and two finely balanced ties await. Have Warrington timed their run to perfection, or can Leeds bounce back from a run of home losses to take the spoils?

I think the loss of Miller has hit Leeds hard. He had his hands on the ball so much, he was a big influence on the way they play, so I think Wire might just pinch it.

The Warriors against Wakefield is another mouthwatering tie. It’s obvious we need to contain the Wakefield pack and their impact off the bench if we are to emerge victorious.

An interesting statistic in the Wakefield game last week highlighted that they are second in the league for territory - that’s because they can march teams down the pitch.

I also think that Mason Lino poses a greater threat than Jack Sinfield. Our right edge defence will be key in stopping those runs from Isaiah Vagana, particularly near the try-line.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the likes of Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, O’Neill, Sam Walters and Ellis play big minutes to thwart the Trinity pack. I also feel that, once again, Farrell will feature from the bench.

I think Wardle will also play, so we will have a strong team out, and there will be no excuses.

Hopefully the Warriors faithful turn out in numbers, as in the past, home support has tended to suffer - maybe due to people being unable to use their season ticket, or saving for the final, expecting to get there.

There are rumours of a strong turnout from Wakefield, which is what you would expect in one of their biggest games in recent history.

The Warriors have utilised the week off well with time away from the club - a nice mixture of hard work and relaxation. It has served us well in the past, so let’s hope history repeats itself.

Congratulations to O’Neill and Keighran on making the final Man of Steel shortlist, but also well done to Jai Field, Bevan French and Harry Smith for making the final 10.

Personally, I think the award will go to O’Neill, who has been a model of consistency all year.

Congratulations also to Mago on his new deal. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but the fact that we have so many forwards who can play big minutes probably helps him.

Good luck to the Warriors on Saturday. We need a similar start to the Leeds game, where we restricted their territory and got on the scoreboard early. A good start is imperative - we don’t want to be chasing the game. Smith’s kicking game and game management will be vital as ever, but we need to boss their pack.

Old Trafford awaits... Come on the Warriors! Fingers crossed we can pull it off.

Darren Wrudd:

It can be a strange week when you finish in the top two and have a rest while the other teams fight it out for the privilege of playing against you - but this week has been a corker.

Warrington played a hard game and they needed to as they made so many errors with the ball in hand - a decent opposition would have shredded them. Hull KR, however, were a shadow of their 2025 wonders.

Warrington showed what they can do, and Matty Ashton was fantastic for them. Warrington will face Leeds this week, and with the Rhinos without their talismanic fullback Miller, I fancy Wire for the final.

As for Wakefield versus Leigh, the Yorkshire side are well-drilled this year and Daryl Powell has them playing a structured game which has seen them finish well in the league and are a real threat on Saturday night.

Wakefield need much respect, and we will need to be at our best to get to Old Trafford.

The lads have been away on a training camp, which included many of the younger players in their first away days with the squad. This is how you build a team, this is why we are such a high-quality club.

The thought that has gone into this preparation has been for the good of the individuals within the club as well as the cohesion of the squad as a balanced and well-rounded group.

Finally, in this most entertaining week, a fantastic congratulations must go to the three finalists for the 2026 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.

Miller has been Leeds’ best player by far - almost like Field 2.0 - he deserves his spot.

But we all know what O’Neill and Keighran have performed like this year. Both are most deserving of the accolade, and I wish them the very best of luck when the award is announced.