Men

2024 Season Review: Wigan Warriors

17 Nov 2024

Wigan Warriors achieved history with a silverware clean sweep after a brilliant campaign.

After another season of consistency and sparkle, Matt Peet’s men become the first team in the Super League era to hold all four major trophies (the quadruple), as well as winning back-to-back Super League Grand Finals for the first time in the club’s history.

A FOUR-midable year ?@WiganWarriorsRL become the first team in the #SuperLeague era to secure the quadruple 4?? ? pic.twitter.com/6dR6WiShmH
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 12, 2024

Their last clean sweep of trophies came in 1994 - 30 years earlier.

Beyond even that, it also means the Warriors have won the last six trophies available to them dating back to the 2023 League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final, a remarkable run of maintaining the high standards the club and their coach have set.

It’s certainly been another season of success for Wigan and their backroom staff.

There have been blips along the way - most notably a shock July defeat at Hull FC followed by a home thumping from Warrington, and then an away loss at Leeds the following month that threatened their grip on top spot.

But since then Wigan have won seven straight games, including against tonight’s opponents and four other members of the top six. And perhaps the most telling statistic of all is that they didn’t concede a single point in their last three matches, pointing to a defence clearly hungry for more silverware.

With the ball the Warriors have been breathtaking at times, with Bevan French producing more magical moments from stand-off and Jai Field at full-back - despite both men missing significant sections of the season - alongside the class and composure of Harry Smith.

Another Bevan French special ?@WiganWarriorsRL having their own Try of the Season competition tonight ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ZbFyv8VcRn
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 5, 2024

Winger Liam Marshall finished as the competition’s top try scorer as part of an outstanding back line in which youngster Zach Eckersley has emerged as a shining light when his chances have come.

Top Try Scorer @LiamMarshall20 does it again and fights back with a try of his own for @WiganWarriorsRL ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/9DMNtKXRKq
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 26, 2024

Another 20-year-old, Junior Nsemba, has been superb throughout from the back row, while Luke Thompson has led a pack in which the likes of Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell, Tyler Dupree and Patrick Mago have stood tall on a week-to-week basis.

Not even the loss of first choice hooker Brad O’Neill with a season-ending ACL injury in July has derailed the current champions, with Kruise Leeming stepping up in his absence.

The next cluster of homegrown talent have shown their ability too, with Harvie Hill, Tom Forber and Jack Farrimond among those to catch the eye at different stages.

All of which has added up to a history-making 2024 to remember for Wigan and their coach Peet.

Underpinning their success has been an approach that extends well beyond what happens on the field, and one which Peet highlighted recently after securing top spot.

“The goal was never just trophies, and it was never just winning games, it was about connection and learning and making a difference in the town,” Peet explained.

“Winning helps but it is not the be-all and end-all. We have to connect people with one another, connect people with the fans and there’s so much difference we can make to this town.”

It would be hard to argue that Peet and his players haven’t achieved all of that and more in 2024.

Key Man

Luke Thompson got through a mountain of work all season, topping the tackle count and making 2,240 metres with ball in hand – arguably the standout front rowers in the league in 2024.

Rising Star

Young Zach Eckersley had an outstanding season covering a host of positions in the backs, and at just 20 looks set for a huge future in the game.

Season Highlight

It’s been a season of highlights for the Warriors but beating the NRL’s best, Penrith Panthers, at home in the World Club Challenge was an unforgettable night for Matt Peet’s men.