Wigan coach Michael Maguire praises 'special' players
Wigan coach Michael Maguire is confident his crop of young players can establish a new era of dominance.
The Warriors won their first Super League Grand Final in 12 years after a 22-10 win over rivals St Helens.
Sam Tomkins and Darrell Goulding were on the scoresheet at Old Trafford and the duo gave the club's supporters a glimpse of what the future holds.
"The boys are hungry and there is no reason why the club can't continually move forward," said Maguire.
"I couldn't ask for any more commitment than they've shown this year and what they showed tonight really tells the story of that team."
Maguire guided Wigan to their first major trophy since their 2002 Challenge Cup final victory in his first full season in the Super League.
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Keiron Cunningham is a bit emotional, with the realisation that it's all over
St Helens coach Mick Potter
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The Australian has combined the experience of 2010 Man of Steel Pat Richards, hooker Mark Riddell and Stuart Fielden alongside the nascent talents of the Tomkins brothers, Goulding and Liam Farrell.
And scrum-half Thomas Leuluai, who won the Harry Sunderland Trophy when he was named man of the match, said Maguire's extensive knowledge has helped him develop as a player.
"I needed someone like Madge who understands the game. I've learned heaps this year," said the World Cup winner.
"It's a feeling of relief that all the hard work has paid off. It was a good team performance. We felt relaxed because we all had a job to and it was pretty simple at the end of the day."
Winger Richards celebrated Wigan's success on crutches after he tore his Achilles tendon in the final minutes of the first half.
The Ireland international is expected to miss at least six months and he said: "The victory definitely numbs the pain. I couldn't be happier. To be part of this win is something special."
St Helens suffered their fourth successive Grand Final defeat at Old Trafford, a loss which leaves outgoing coach Mick Potter without a trophy in his two-year spell at Knowsley Road.
No excuse for defeat - Potter
"We did some things we didn't practise for, though there was certainly no lack of effort," said Potter, who will join Bradford Bulls next season. "We started off on the back foot.
"We burned a lot of energy in the first 20 minutes. I wouldn't say it was won or lost then but it certainly contributed. It's hard to pull back a hefty score and against a quality team it makes it double hard.
"Even though we did make some breaks, we probably forced a couple of balls and made some uncharacteristic errors.
"I thought up until 10 minutes from the end we were still in the game. We just needed something to go our way and it didn't happen tonight but I don't want to take anything away from how well Wigan performed."
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606: DEBATE
Nico-wire
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As well as Potter, centre Matt Gidley and prop Bryn Hargreaves are all leaving the club.
And an emotional Keiron Cunningham, who ended an illustrious 18-year career as a player in Manchester, addressed his team-mates in the dressing room after playing the last match of his career.
"He spoke about how he's loved every moment of it," added Potter. "He knows he's had enough, he's going to move on.
"He's a bit emotional, with the realisation that it's all over. It's probably just starting to hit him."
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