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Writer's pictureElliot Burrow

What a Grand Final! - A look back at an epic Grand Final between Wigan and St Helens.

Updated: Oct 28, 2022

I've got to start this piece with saying what an epic Super League Grand Final we witnessed last night there.


It was filled with everything from superb defences to big hits and drama right at the death which saw St Helens make it back to back Super League Grand Final wins.


The game looked as though Wigan were going to win it with a penalty kick with only one minute left on the clock but Zak Hardaker's kick sailed just wide and the scenes which followed will always remain in rugby league history forever.


After Hardaker missed the kick it seemed certain to go to golden point as St Helens would have to go the full 100 metres of the pitch to win it or try at least get within 40 metres of Wigan's try line to attempt a drop goal.


The last play of the game saw Tommy Makinson line up from those 40 metres out to attempt a drop goal but his attempt hit one of the posts and with the final hooter sounding during the kick, we were destined for golden point, until...


Bevan French only had to knock the ball out of play for Chris Kendall to sound the final whistle, but the Wigan fullback got caught in two minds and 19 year-old Jack Welsby brushed him a side to put the ball down.


Due to the situation, it was sent upstairs to the video referee to have a look and make sure that Welsby had grounded the ball and was onside from the kick.


With all that eventually confirmed, the try was given and St Helens were back to back Grand Final champions.


It was sheer heartbreak for Wigan and you could see in the post-match interviews how much it meant to their coach Adrian Lam who was clearly fighting back the tears.


The game definitely lived up to the build up and both teams couldn't of done anymore to provide a great advert for the sport and show why it is such an entertaining game to be involved in and why it meant so much to two players in particular.


Sean O'Loughlin has played 19 seasons for his hometown club in the Wigan Warriors and despite not rounding off his brilliant career with a win, O'Loughlin has earned the right to be called a rugby league legend


On the other team, the retiring James Graham brought an end to his career with a win for his hometown club and like O'Loughlin will join the list of rugby league legends.


Both players showed why rugby league is more than just a game and you could see how much they will both miss playing the sport.


Another great in the game in St Helens captain James Roby picked up the Harry Sunderland trophy alongside the Super League trophy but this game will always be remembered for what one of the new and upcoming stars in the sport in Jack Welsby did and I'm sure it will be a moment that he will never forget.



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