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2024 Season Review: Warrington Wolves

16 Nov 2024

Warrington Wolves challenged for silverware in a season of progress under new boss Sam Burgess.

The Wolves finished the league campaign with Super League’s best attack and defence, and challenged for all three trophies available to them.

Those facts illustrated the clear progress that was made under rookie coach Sam Burgess, and though the Wolves fell short on all three fronts, there is a renewed sense of optimism around the club because of the 2024 campaign.

Warrington topped the table at the end of two rounds during the course of the season, reached the Betfred Challenge Cup Final and pushed Hull KR all the way in a thrilling Super League Semi-Final.

To end without any silverware was undeniably a disappointment, but the mood around the Halliwell Jones Stadium has certainly shifted significantly after the club finished sixth in 2023, losing 13 times.

Much of that can be put down to the impact of Burgess, who instilled a neversay-die attitude that replicated his own gladiatorial playing career.

Only once did the Wolves lose by more than 11 points - at home to Hull KR in early August - illustrating their competitiveness throughout.

In George Williams the Wolves have a natural leader and one of Super League’s most accomplished attacking players, while fullback Matt Dufty flourished under Burgess and made more metres than anybody else in the competition.

“Dufty danger!” ?

The Warrington full-back extended his side’s lead in the first half with an impressive length of the field effort ? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/SddqSJsgNQ
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 17, 2024

Toby King, Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai and top scorer Matty Ashton formed a potent threw-quarter line while Danny Walker was outstanding at hooker and complemented by veteran Sam Powell off the bench.

Olympic sprinter levels ?@MattyyAshton hit 2024’s top speed of 36.48 KM/H on his way to his amazing @WarringtonRLFC intercept try ?

Usain Bolt’s average speed for his 100m world record was 37.58 KM/H ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ngv6911WkH
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 31, 2024

In the pack James Harrison and Paul Vaughan were consistent figures up front and Ben Currie was another to benefit from Burgess’ arrival, finding a new home at loose forward.

Matty Nicholson’s form saw Canberra Raiders move for the back rower, while the mid-season arrivals of Luke Yates and John Bateman added extra steel.

But perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the entire campaign was the emergence of young guns like Adam Holroyd, Arron Lindop and Max Wood, while playmaker Leon Hayes looked a real talent before injury struck early in the year.

They should become key members of the Wolves side for years to come.

All of which adds to renewed hope among the Wolves support that the elusive top flight title could yet be secured under their popular new boss.

Burgess’ reaction after the semi-final loss at Hull KR said much about his outlook.

Firstly, he was asked to reflect on his first season in charge.

“We didn’t win, and that’s what we came here to do,” was his response.

The coached added: “You don’t deserve to be going into a Grand Final if you’re conceding barge-over tries from dummy-half.

“In Round Two, I can live with it but in a semi-final, it’s not Premiership-winning stuff. That won’t win us a comp, so we have to fix that up.”

The Wolves and their coach look well placed to be a side to watch again in 2025.

Key Man

England international Ben Currie had a stand-out season in the new position of loose forward, getting through a mountain of work with and without the ball.

Rising Star

Cai Taylor-Wray is an exciting young full-back and really impressed in six games towards the end of the season. He looks well set for more opportunities next year.

Season Highlight

George Williams’ dramatic golden point field goal in a gripping Play-Offs clash against St Helens put the Wolves to within 80 minutes of Old Trafford.

Two brilliant assists and the match winning @WarringtonRLFC drop goal ?@George7Williams' Eliminator performance was off the charts ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/cfpyN46ksr
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 30, 2024