CALLUM WALKER reflects on Warrington’s 2025 season.
The hope
There had been a massive improvement from Warrington in 2024. In his first season in charge, Sam Burgess had guided the Wolves to a Challenge Cup Final and the Super League play-offs.
In terms of stability, Warrington’s off-season had been one of few movements, with only Dan Russell, Alfie Johnson and Oli Leyland being picked up, though the Wolves had lost Matty Nicholson to the NRL’s Canberra Raiders.
There was clearly a sense of optimism building around the Halliwell Jones Stadium and it was natural for the club’s fans to believe that with a little more progress 2025 could finally be their year.
The reality
The simple answer was that the progress of 2024 didn’t continue into 2025. Burgess’ men seemingly dropped off the end of a cliff in terms of the league, finishing in eighth on the ladder and winning just ten from 27 games.
It started badly, with the great adventure of a trip to Las Vegas turning into a thrashing by Wigan, followed on their return to England by a home defeat to newly promoted Wakefield Trinity.
Warrington did make it to the Challenge Cup Final once again, but this time they were beaten by Hull KR in a narrow 8-6 loss, with a devastating late converted try winning it for Hull KR. That seemed to derail the Wolves’ season, with just four wins from their final 14 fixtures condemning them to a place outside the play-offs.
Star playmaker Matt Dufty was in the headlines for the wrong reasons after turning up late for training and subsequently being dropped by Burgess, whilst forward Zane Musgrove was let go early from his contract in May following a bust-up with a teammate.
Matty Ashton, Oli Leyland and Arron Lindop all suffered serious ACL injuries, whilst captain George Williams missed a chunk of the season at the wrong time.
Burgess had also been linked with the Perth Bears job, despite being under contract until the end of 2026. All in all it was just a difficult year again for the Wolves.
Best players
Brothers Josh and Jake Thewlis were shining lights in a dismal season. Older brother Josh scored 15 tries in 29 appearances – the most at the club in 2025, whilst his younger sibling Jake managed 14 in 18 appearances.
Josh scooped up the Players’ Player of the Year and Warrington’s Player of the Year, whilst Jake received the Young Player of the Year award for his club.
Luke Yates also impressed in his first full season at the Halliwell Jones, leading from the front and being a consistent player in the pack.
In quotes
“The whole process has been great to go through, it’s not been disappointing at all. It’s been good. I’ve still not heard back from the NRL yet, but whatever happens, I’ve learned something. It’s been good. When you’re outside your comfort zone, it was a good process to go through and learn a little bit about yourself. Regardless of the outcome, the process was great.” Sam Burgess on being a candidate for the Perth Bears head coaching job for 2027.
“There has been a lot of talk within the week but there is nothing major to it. There is a little bit of interest [from the NRL] and I would be stupid not to listen to it – at 30, it’s now or never. I have to think about whether it’s an itch I want to scratch. Warrington have been brilliant and I have been respectful to them and what will be, will be. There are a lot of logistics to sort out but at the minute I am open-minded.” George Williams after being linked with a move to the NRL mid-season.
“It is tough, but it won’t stop the way I coach. It is not going to stop the way I present myself or who I am. No doubt I have some hard work to do in the off-season… I have tried everything that has worked with me and teams that I have been a part of but, at the moment, it is just not working.” Sam Burgess after Warrington’s shock 25-12 loss to Salford Red Devils in Round 24.
In numbers
8 days Warrington were top of the Super League ladder after round two.
3,293 metres were made by Matt Dufty, placing him sixth in Super League despite an inconsistent season.
21.7 was the average number of points Warrington conceded in 2025, as opposed to 11.4 in 2024.
Highlight
A 21-14 win over Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup semi-final ensured two visits to Wembley in consecutive years under Sam Burgess.
A big 32-18 triumph over St Helens in round nine also laid down a marker to the rest of the Super League competition – if only momentarily.
Lowlight
The 25-12 loss to lowly Salford Red Devils in round 24 ended any hopes of a play-off spot. The fact that the Red Devils won just three games all year makes that result even more unfathomable for Warrington fans.
The Wolves undoubtedly did it tough with injuries in 2025, too, with the sad sight of ACL horrors to Matty Ashton, Oli Leyland and Arron Lindop as well as Leon Hayes’ broken arm after only just recovering from a fractured and dislocated ankle.
Speculation that captain George Williams would leave the club for a second shot at the NRL with the Dolphins also didn’t go down well.