Wigan Warriors captain Liam Farrell knows exactly what to expect in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday but that does not mean any motivation to win more silverware has gone away.
Heading into his 10th Grand Final, Farrell knows exactly what it means to win on the biggest stage having picked up a winners’ ring on six of the nine occasions he has walked out at Old Trafford so far.
All of that success has come with his boyhood club, the Warriors, with whom he has spent the entirety of his 15-year career.
Now, while many would be forgiven for being content with such a stacked trophy cabinet, Farrell remains galvanised to achieve more.
Take a look at some exclusive footage as Wigan Warriors players, staff and fans celebrate their Super League Grand Final victory over Hull KR at Old Trafford.
Why? That is a question he has grappled with but one he puts down to the environment in which that success has been created, with a three-peat the next one they are looking to tick off with victory over Hull KR on Saturday.
“I’ve been involved in a few but I think the excitement still stays there, the nerves are still there. I’m proud to lead out the team that I am doing and just trying to save all the moments throughout the week before we get to Saturday,” Farrell told Sky Sports.
“I’ve asked myself that a lot and I think it helps being involved in a fresh group every year and the success we’ve had at the club.
“I don’t like to lose, that’s probably been the main one throughout my career and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in a lot of success.
Highlights of the Super League Grand Final match between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR.
“I think being involved in the Grand Final in the first year, that just wanted to give me a taste for more. I think that’s probably the main motivation I have.
“I think both camps have got their own stamp on the game. Hull KR are going for the clean sweep everything and we’re going for three in a row, so there’s a lot at stake for both clubs and this success for us has been built over a few years.
“There’s obviously been a chance of winning a three-peat. There’s a lot of hard work gone in beforehand as well, so we know what’s at stake and we can put ourselves in a very good place in history if we win it, but there’s obviously a big challenge ahead of us.”
Highlights from the Super League semi-final between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards.
As captain, Farrell has the added excitement, or nerves, of leading his side out onto the hallowed turf.
That moment of Jerusalem playing while waiting to make his entrance is one Farrell can recite over and over in his head.
“You never know when your last one’s going to be, so this could be it. I’m just excited about being involved in it again and taking all the little moments and obviously being captain, being able to walk out first and seeing the crowd and the fireworks and all the pre-match entertainment, it’s going to be amazing,” he added.
“Being involved in all those moments is very special for me. Being stood in the tunnel and hearing Jerusalem play is nervous, yes.
“I can play the song over and over in my head. It is a nice song to listen to, but when you’re coming in front of 70,000 people, you just get nervous and all you want is to kick off and get the game going.”
While some more historic success potentially awaits Farrell and Wigan, he knows they have stern opposition in Hull KR who have been on a clear trajectory towards competing at the top of Super League, with the League Leaders’ Shield and Challenge Cup already in their trophy cabinet.
Hull KR players and fans celebrate reaching the Super League Grand Final in Old Trafford after beating St Helens.
“I think the way Hull KR started the year and even the way they played last year, you could see that it wasn’t a one-off, it wasn’t a fluke,” Farrell said.
“They were going to have sustained success and we’re happy to play against them again.
“We know they’ve been the best team throughout the year consistently and showed a lot of resilience against teams, so we know we’re coming up against a tough opposition.
“Like I said, it’s nice to get two different teams involved in the game every year, but the Grand Final usually rewards the two best teams and I’d like to think we’ve been one of the two and Hull KR have definitely been the number one team this year.”
How to watch
The Super League Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday October 11, live on Sky Sports.
The match will take place at 6pm, with coverage on Sky Sports from 5pm.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Djokovic withdraws from Paris Masters ahead of ATP Finals
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Paris Masters ahead of the season-ending ATP Finals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion announced his withdrawal on social media on Tuesday, but did not provide a reason. The last Masters 1000 event of the season runs from October 27 to November 2, with the ATP Finals - the season-ending tournament featuring the top eight ranked players for which Djokovic has already qualified - following on November 9. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of Jannik Sinner against Djokovic in the semi-final of the Six Kings Slam "Dear Paris, unfortunately I'll not compete at this year's @RolexPMasters," Djokovic wrote on X."I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title seven times. Hope to see you next year. Merci." Twitter This content is […]
Flamengo conta com retrospecto contra argentinos para passar pelo Racing na Libertadores
Pedro tenta marcar mais uma vez para ajudar o Flamengo (Crédito: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo)O Flamengo defende um bom retrospecto contra clubes argentinos na Copa Libertadores. A equipe terá agora pela frente o Racing, nesta quarta-feira (22/10), pela partida de ida da semifinal do torneio. Se depender do histórico, o torcedor rubro-negro tem motivos para estar confiante. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEDesde a estreia na Libertadores em 1980, o Flamengo disputou 27 jogos contra clubes da Argentina. Ao todo, foram 14 vitórias, 9 empates e apenas 4 derrotas. No total, o time brasileiro marcou 50 gols e sofreu 28. O aproveitamento de 63% mostra a força da equipe brasileira em confrontos contra rivais tradicionais do continente. Além dos números gerais, o clube também leva vantagem em mata-matas, onde costuma se impor nos momentos decisivos.Desempenho positivo em confrontos diretos e mata-matasEm fases […]
Xabi Alonso afirma que não quer emprestar Endrick: “Precisamos de todos”
Xabi Alonso não está tirando Endrick do banco de reservas (Foto: © Alberto Gardin/ZUMA Press Wire)O treinador do Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, conversou com os jornalistas antes do confronto desta quarta-feira (22) contra a Juventus, válido pela 3ª rodada da UEFA Champions League. O comandante foi questionado sobre um possível empréstimo do brasileiro Endrick, que há algum tempo não consegue espaço para jogar. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE“Já falei sobre isso. Há muita concorrência na equipe, basta trabalhar duro e estar sempre preparado. Precisamos de todos os jogadores”, declarou Xabi Alonso. Sendo assim, ele revelou que o clube madrilenho não pretende se desfazer de nenhum jogador na janela de inverno, no meio da temporada.Contudo, será que essas palavras agradarão Endrick? O jovem de 19 anos disputou 37 partidas na temporada passada, marcou sete gols e deu uma assistência. Formado no Palmeiras, ele esteve […]
Are these 6 NFL teams playoff-bound? + Lions & Seahawks MNF takeaways
Nate Tice & Matt Harmon decide whether they're buying what these ascending NFL playoff contenders are selling through 7 weeks of the season. The two hosts kick things off with their takeaways from the two Monday night matchups, as the Detroit Lions steamrolled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the back of Jahmyr Gibbs, while the Seattle Seahawks overcame some sloppiness to demonstrate their viability as a true NFL contender this season in their win over the messy Houston Texans.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNext, Nate & Matt take a deep dive on six ascending teams and decide whether to buy or sell them as true playoff contenders. The duo unpack the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants and Chicago Bears (with a nod to the Los Angeles Rams at the end).(3:20) - Lions steamroll Buccaneers 24-9(14:00) - Seahawks defeat […]
Fantasy Football: How to survive the Week 8 bye-apocalypse
Welcome to the Week 8 bye-apocalypse: With six teams off, stars sidelined and fantasy rosters gutted, here’s the survival guide. Andy Dalton is a solid streaming option: He gets a favorable matchup this week, as he faces a Buffalo Bills defense that is allowing 17.7 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections, and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool. Get 25% off your PFF+ annual subscription with code PFFTIKTOK25. Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes Notable players on bye during Week 8 Players to target with under 30% rostership QBs Andy Dalton | Carolina Panthers | 0.1% Bryce Young is likely missing Week 8 due to a high-ankle sprain, and Andy Dalton will step into his place. Dalton gets a favorable matchup […]
Pakistan eliminated after heavy defeat to South Africa in rain-hit clash
Marizanne Kapp scored an unbeaten 68 and took three wickets to lead South Africa to a formidable 150-run win via DLS that eliminated opponents Pakistan from the Women's Cricket World Cup.Two other half-centuries - from Laura Wolvaardt (90) and Sune Luus (61) - and a quick-fire 41 off 16 deliveries from Nadine de Clake saw South Africa reach 312 after the match had been shortened to 40 overs a side because of rain at R Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan's chase saw three rain interruptions which resulted in their target being reduced gradually from 306 in 40 overs to 234 in 20 overs under DLS.Pakistan reached 48-4 in 12 overs when the match resumed after the last rain stoppage, handing them an improbable task of scoring more than 23 runs per over. They reached 83-7 at the end of 20 overs.South Africa […]