Why should I watch?
This Warrington Wolves team stands on the brink of immortality.
Beat Wigan tomorrow and they will become the first team to deliver a league championship to Warrington for 63 years.
They will have the chances to ram the jeers and taunts of rival fans back down their throats and finally proclaim that this is “their year.”
However, another defeat would make those derogatory chants grow louder and it would mean The Wire will have lost their past six major finals.
Can Wolves finally get that monkey off their backs and deny Wigan’s departing head coach Shaun Wane a golden goodbye?
Albert Naughton holds aloft the league championship in 1955. This remains the last time Warrington won a league title.
What they’ve said:
“From when I first arrived, I’ve always said it’s not about me and it never will be.
“It’s about the players and I’ll be ecstatic for them if we can do it.
“It’s up to us to deliver on our performance now.”
Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach
Wire head coach Steve Price. Picture by Mike Boden
“It would mean absolutely everything if I could finish off with a win.
“We’ll talk about the process and our game plan but for me personally, they’re not my players, they’re my mates.
“We have tough conversations but we socialise, I class them as friends, so if I can do it with this group of players it’ll be up there as one of the best if I can finish with a win.”
Shaun Wane, Wigan Warriors head coach
Wigan Warriors boss Shaun Wane. Picture by Mike Boden
Numbers game:
Tomorrow will see Warrington and Wigan meet for the 13th time in a final in all competitions.
Sadly, though, The Wire have only won one of their 12 finals against Wigan – they beat their neighbours 26-10 in the 1980-81 Lancashire Cup Final at St Helens’ Knowsley Road ground.
Wire players celebrate winning the 1980-81 Lancashire Cup at Knowsley Road - the only time they have ever beaten Wigan in a final
Warrington team news:
Steve Price has been able to name an unchanged squad from last week’s semi-final win over St Helens.
Mike Cooper had to come off at the Totally Wicked Stadium with an eye injury, but Price confirmed on Monday that he would be fit to play.
With no new injuries to contend with, it looks as if The Wire’s matchday 17 will remain unchanged, with Ryan Atkins and Harvey Livett the unlucky ones to miss out.
Squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Bodene Thompson, Ben Westwood.
Mike Cooper has overcome an eye injury and is fit to play. Picture by Mike Boden
Wigan team news:
The final 19-man squad he will ever select as Wigan head coach also proved simple for Shaun Wane, who also names an unchanged squad.
His biggest dilemma appears to be whether to stick with Morgan Escare as an interchange option or go with either Gabe Hamlin or Taulima Tautai as an extra forward on the bench.
Squad: John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Morgan Escare, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Gabe Hamlin, Thomas Leuluai, Dom Manfredi, Romain Navarette, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
One to watch:
John Bateman
The second-rower is one of three Wigan players who are aiming for the perfect send-off at Old Trafford.
He and teammate Ryan Sutton are heading for a crack at the NRL with Canberra Raiders, with Bateman tipped to be the next English forward to thrive Down Under.
Bateman has carried Wigan through patches of this season and his displays earned him a place on the shortlist for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
Grand Final winner odds (via Betfred):
Wigan 4/7
Warrington 11/8
Wolves beat the odds to stun St Helens in last week's semi-final, and they once again face heavily-favoured opponents tomorrow. Picture by Mike Boden
Essential info:
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018
Kick off: 6pm
Where: Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA
Old Trafford hosts the Super League Grand Final once again
Match officials:
Referee: Robert Hicks
Touch judges: Richard Thompson, Chris Kendal
Video referee: Ben Thaler
Robert Hicks will referee tomorrow's Grand Final. Picture by Mike Boden
How can I follow the game?
The Warrington Guardian sports team will be providing you with in-depth coverage of the Super League Grand Final before, during and after the game.
Sports editor Mike Parsons and sports reporter Matt Turner will both be at Old Trafford throughout the day, as will Guardian photographers Mike Boden and Dave Gillespie.
Look out for Facebook Live videos on the ‘Warrington Guardian’ and ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ pages previewing the game, with ‘On The Hooter’ summaries straight after full-time on both pages as well.
‘Matchday Live’ will be with you as usual, but we will have a very special Grand Final edition, which will kick off at around 3.30pm.
After the game, we will have detailed analysis plus a photo gallery, a man of the match poll and all the post-match reaction from the Wire camp – win or lose.
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