Monday 10 October 2016 11:24, UK
Set of Six is all about the Grand Final this week as we look back at Wigan's 'best win ever'.
Wonderful Wigan
What a year it's been for Wigan. Yes, they are one of Super League's most successful sides, but their Grand Final win on Saturday was something special. Warriors coach Shaun Wane said it was their best ever and you have to agree with him.
All sides suffer injuries but Wigan were decimated by them throughout the season - remember the team they had to field way back in April that was demolished 62-0 by Wakefield?
Wane hailed their never-say-die attitude and it certainly told as they battled back from 6-2 down to clinch their fourth Super League title.
Coming back stronger
Warrington won't expect any sympathy as they had to add the Grand Final losers' medals to their Challenge Cup ones after losing to Hull at Wembley in August. The Wolves certainly had their chances at Old Trafford but it was just not to be. However, Wolves coach Tony Smith believes the Wire will be stronger for the loss.
"Hopefully we can get smarter and use it," said Smith. "If you listen to great sportsmen like Michael Jordan about how many games he lost - they are inspirational. They need to learn from tough defeats.
"We will get that win soon, I am pretty confident it will happen soon. There are some sad faces, long faces. But I always say if you can't handle losing a final, don't compete in one."
Harry Sunderland award
Well done to Liam Farrell who was superb for Wigan and was handed the man-of-the-match award. It was presented by our very own Stevo, who won the award way back in 1973. Farrell was not keen to hog the limelight and immediately paid tribute to Dan Sarginson who pushed him all the way for the Harry Sunderland Trophy.
"I can't put it into words, there were so many players - the lad stood beside me (Sarginson) - I wouldn't like to see how many carries he took because he got us out of so much trouble.
"For him to leave the club like he is doing is something pretty special and I am really chuffed he has gone out the way he has."
End of an era
There was a fitting tribute to Stevo who commentated on his last game on Saturday. He started 26 years ago when it was just him and Eddie Hemmings sharing the microphone. These days the gantry has had to be re-enforced with the arrival of Super League heavyweights such as Barrie McDermott, Terry O'Connor, Phil Clarke and Brian Carney.
It was a great touch that towards the end of the game, one by one they took a step back until it was just Stevo and Eddie on comms. Stevo is one of life's true gentlemen, a man passionate about the sport and always willing to share his knowledge and advice.
He maintains he won't miss the game because he will keep watching wherever he can. Here's hoping there will be plenty of T-R-Y action every time he sits on the sidelines. Set of Six will certainly miss him and we wish him well on his retirement.
Off on a high
Josh Charnely has been a prolific try-scorer for Wigan over the years, with his Grand Final try his 165th try in 174 appearances for the club. He now he heads to rugby union side Sale Sharks, who will hope he can continue his form in their code.
"When I signed for Sale I said to Shaun Wane that I wanted to end with silverware," said Charnley. "I've grown up at this club and I have been around the boys day in, day out. It's like a family and it's going to be an emotional night. I'm looking forward to my next challenge."
Sarginson is another player who is leaving, after signing for NRL club Gold Coast Titans. England coach Wayne Bennett names his England squad for the Four Nations on Monday and Sarginson is hoping he has done enough in Super League to catch the eye of the national coach.
"I hope so," said Sarginson, who deputised at full-back for the injured Sam Tomkins in Wigan's last three matches of the season.
"If I do, I'm not sure where he'll play me because I've not played too much at centre and I might not have been too convincing at full-back. But I really hope I can get into the squad and, if I can, I'll do all I can for my country."
On the matter of England it will be interesting to see what happens with captain Sean O'Loughlin, who was in serious doubt for the Grand Final after suffering a calf injury in August.
The Wigan skipper made the cut with Wane insisting he was always going to call upon the influential forward, but Wigan will no doubt want O'Loughlin to sit out the tournament in order to fully recover.
Wane has been pretty vocal on the matter before, and will have sat down with the player and the coaching staff to discuss the implications of O'Loughlin pushing himself even further.
"I love the international game, but the most important thing for me is this club," said Wane last month.
Storm snub club series
Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed on Monday that the NRL Grand Final runners-up have declined their place in the World Club Series in order to give their players the best possible preparation for next season. According to reports in Australia, another 10 clubs have also turned down invitations from the RFL.
It means that, unless Super League Grand Final runners-up Warrington and Challenge Cup winners Hull are prepared to travel to Australia, the format could revert to a one-off match between the two champions, Wigan and Cronulla.
"Having treasured past visits to the UK in 2008, 2010 and 2013, we thoroughly value the concept of the World Club Challenge," Donaghy said. "However, a regular NRL season is already incredibly taxing and, as a non-Sydney team, our players travel more than most.
"We have committed to playing two trial matches in Australia which we believe will serve as a better lead-in for the team ahead of next year's opening round.
"We wish Cronulla all the best as the NRL's representative against the champion team of England, Wigan."
The World Club Series is due to take place in England over the weekend of February 16-17.
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