JAKE WARDLE reckons it’s difficult to pick out a highlight win from the 29 achieved in 2024 as Wigan continue the countdown to the new campaign.
The Warriors, who begin the Super League season by hosting Leigh on Thursday, February 13 after competing in round three of the new-look Challenge Cup, are aiming to build on their ‘all-four’ success.
Winning the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield then the Grand Final (in game number 34) is unprecedented in the summer era.
And it led to Wigan being named Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards as well as coach Matt Peet being selected as League Express’ Man of the Year.
The Warriors can claim only three pieces of silverware in 2025 since the World Club Challenge, which would have been a repeat of last year’s clash with Penrith Panthers, won’t take place – but the treble is the aim.
Centre Wardle, who is approaching his third season at Wigan after moving from Huddersfield, missed only one match in 2024, and contributed 14 tries.
While focused on the future, the 26-year-old England international allowed himself a look back at last season, picking out key contests, including the 16-12 home victory over Penrith and two tilts at Hull KR – in the last four of the Challenge Cup (38-6 at Doncaster) then the Grand Final (9-2).
“It was fantastic to beat a team like Penrith in front of a sold-out crowd in Wigan,” he told the club website.
“The whole experience stood out and it was only afterwards that I realised how big a moment scoring was.
“The Challenge Cup semi-final sticks out purely for the way we handled the game.
“Hull KR were very good last year. We knew it would be tough but also that if we turned up, we’d win and get a little redemption after losing to them at the same stage in 2023.
“We were ruthless throughout and it was nice to cross for two tries. The way the team performed and how we handled the pressure of the occasion is what I’ll remember.
“And even though we had discussions going into the Grand Final on winning all four, I don’t think we fully understood how big an achievement it actually was until afterwards.
“It would be impossible to look back on the season and not think we did something pretty special.
“From the first game against Castleford (a 32-4 away win) to completing the grand slam, it’s hard to pick just one of those matches to favour. We have to look at it as one and be proud of what we achieved.”
