Guardian sports editor and lifelong Wire fan Mike Parsons on a Grand chance...

THERE was a stage when reaching the Grand Final would have been a satisfactory state of affairs for Warrington Wolves.

Having been out of the prize hunt for so long, just being contenders again was considered success in itself by many when the first two losses in 2012 and 2013 occurred.

> How the Grand Final could break down

Things have changed though and, quite honestly, it's about time The Wire got one won.

A little taste whets the appetite for bigger portions, and when none are forthcoming for a period the search for satisfaction goes elsewhere.

Now, after a number of let downs - defeats in five successive finals in fact - the natives are restless, are fed up of bashings from rival supporters about it being 'our year'.

This Saturday's showdown with eternal arch-enemies Wigan is all about hitting back, levelling out the rollercoaster ride of being a Wire fan, achieving a 63-year elusive win and quite frankly signalling intent for many seasons to come.

With captain Chris Hill and his men proving in the semi-final against St Helens that this group of players under Steve Price can live with the best - and a knockout win against Wigan having already been achieved once this year - there should be no fear, confidence should be high.

Of course, it's not the be all and end all. If Wire lose on Saturday, life goes on and Price and his coaches and players will go again next year.

However, when sights are set on becoming Super League's best club - and officially Wolves are in 2018 after this week's Man of Steel award - at some point you have to prove it in the 'big one' before testing the patience of some fans too far.

Win one, get the monkey off the back, and others will follow - a little like what happened in 2009 when the first Challenge Cup success for 35 years was replicated twice in quick succession.

Then watch the attendances rise again, feel the town buzzing at a whole new level, and provide an opportunity for a much-loved, well-run and ambitious club to aim at accomplishing a golden era of the likes not seen since the 1950s.

That has to be the goal, that is what everybody associated with Wolves wants.

The Wire, a sleeping giant to some, could become feared by all-comers in the way that the likes of Wigan and St Helens are from the monopoly they have had on the Super League trophy along with Leeds Rhinos.

This Saturday, Price's princes can grow into kings and stick a flag in the Old Trafford turf symbolising that they have stepped out of neighbours' shadows, have conquered the mountain and will defend their position with all guns blazing in 2019 in front of a rejuvenated support base.

Or they could be the nearly men, again.

With now being back at Old Trafford for a fourth time in seven years, this time under their new head coach, the trend tells us The Wire are on the verge of something very special - a day that at times in the past has seemed so distant people had given up hope of it happening in their lifetime. For some, sadly, it didn't and they'll be watching from on high come 6pm Saturday.

Warrington's players could make history, write their names into the town's folklore and spark a party of all parties by way of celebration.

Having looked in recent seasons the most likely club to break the monotony of repetitive title victors, a glorious primrose and blue night at Old Trafford could perhaps not only be the catalyst for taking The Wire to the next level but also light a torch for others and breathe new life into a competition edging on 'gone stale' just in time for the new format next season.

The stakes are high. Wire need to win.