Image source, PA Media

Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell wanted his club to experience a title win in full technicolour glory after its golden age of success was captured in black and white pictures decades ago.

Well, he and club owner Matt Ellis have what they wanted with The Mighty Trinity writing one of Super League's greatest fairytale stories.

The side that was relegated in 2023 after finishing last, which then had to spend a year in exile in the second division, are the 2026 Super League champions after beating Warrington 23-10 at Old Trafford.

While the title win is Wakefield's first for 58 years, it also adds to Warrington's cursed history.

The Wolves have now lost all five Super League Grand Finals they have played in. Tonight they attempted to win a first title for 71 years. That wait has now become 72 years and counting.

It's been an astonishing night in Manchester. Thanks for joining us.

And with that, I bid you goodnight.

Tyson Smoothy has landed back-to-back titles on opposite sides of the globe, having tonight become a Super League champion with Wakefield Trinity after last year helping Brisbane Broncos to the NRL crown.

It is no surprise that he is a man in demand, and this game has proven to be his last as he heads back to Australia to join NRL expansion club Perth Bears.

"It's quite surreal at the moment. I'm so proud of the club," he told Sky Sports.

"I've heard so much about where they have come from and Matt [owner Matt Ellis] has done such a great job to get the cub here. Everyone plays such a big role and I'm proud of the boys' effort today.

On leaving Wakefield now that they are Super League title winners, he added: "It makes it easier, but also harder. It makes it easier knowing we have had a successful year and brought the club a trophy, but it makes it hard to leave the boys. We are such a close group and I'm going to miss it. It will be tough."

While head coach Daryl Powell is speaking to Sky Sports the camera lingers on club owner Matt Ellis as he holds the Super League trophy.

It was when Wakefield were relegated in 2023 that the kitchen magnate bought the struggling club and appointed Powell as the man to rebuild Trinity in the second tier.

While the players have tonight assured themselves of a place in the club's history, the vision and desire or Ellis as owner cannot be understated.

Image source, PA Media

Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell has been speaking to Sky Sports after getting his hands on the Super League trophy.

"It's unbelievable really, the story of where we have come from and our ability to go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the comp," he said.

"The boys were immense tonight, we had a bit of a rocky period when we had the 10-minute sin-binning with Corey Hall at the start of the second half, but I thought we rarely looked troubled and we were superb today.

"That was a a big performance from an unbelievable group of blokes.

"We've had a fairytale ending to the season, and I wasn't sure we could do it this year.

"I thought next year would be our year, but wow this year has been our year - we have been a phenomenal team and we are only going to get better."

Paul Rowley
Former St Helens head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

Tyson Smoothy and Jazz Tevaga have had a really important role to play today. I think they've been industrious in the middle, they were really selective in the plays that they chose, they just both led from the front.

The icing on the cake was Tom Johnstone, who picked up the man of the match and deservedly so as well.

Commiserations to Warrington who have had a really good year. They've been consistent and under the radar. They've let their rugby do the talking and there's been a lot to admire about them in particular the influx of young players that have graced the Warrington shirt this year.

Image source, Getty Images

Mike McMeeken shuffles along the stage to take his place in the middle of his team-mates.

He has a huge smile stretched across his face and screams with joy as he thrusts the trophy into the night sky at Old Trafford.

What a sight this is.

Wakefield, Super League's bottom side of 2023 when they were relegated, are now champions.

Wakefield players are bounding onto the stage now to grab their Super League silverware.

The last one to collect his prize will be captain Mike McMeeken.

He is up there, shaking hands with dignitaries and now approaches the Super League Trophy

Image source, PA Media

Wakefield's Tom Johnstone, who collected the Rob Burrow Award as Super League Grand Final man of the match, has been speaking to Sky Sports.

"I can't quite believe it. I keep crying, I can't help myself, it is such a special club," he said.

"It's been the longest week of my life and to just get out there and get it done, I don't know what to say.

"This club means everything to me, I've said it for a long time now.

"I've said it for years that I wanted to win a Grand Final for Wakefield and it's always been a pipe dream, then coming back to the club that is what Matt [owner Matt Ellis] wanted to do and I just couldn't miss the opportunity to do it."

Warrington players are picking themselves up to trudge onto the stage that has been erected on the Old Trafford pitch to collect their runners-up medals.

It must feel like a long and lonely walk after what has been a fierce Grand Final.

Warrington boss Sam Burgess, speaking to Sky Sports:

"Territory-wise they beat us physically. They were very hard to beat today. I’m very proud of my group we competed hard and were physical, but it hurts.

"I don’t think they’ll have any regrets, we showed a lot of spirit in the second half but we're going home disappointed we lost the physical battle early.

"It was Wakefield’s day today. The challenge is to take the next step and try to get better it will be long few weeks away but we’ll come back."

Paul Rowley
Former St Helens head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

Well done to Daryl Powell, it's good to see him so animated. He deserves this, he's done a fantastic job at Wakefield.

It's been a dominant display. A brave display from Warrington but Wakefield were worthy winners in the end. They were physically too good and execution-wise they were absolutely fantastic.

Wakefield have conquered Super League for the first time, but it is worth remembering that this is one of British rugby league's famous old clubs.

The swinging '60s was their golden era, and this league title is their first since 1968.

Ending that 58-year wait will be sweet for everyone at Wakefield Trinity.

Wakefield's Max Jowitt has just won the Super League crown in his final match before leaving for York, and he quickly has a microphone thrust in his face.

He is visibly emotional as he speaks to Sky Sports, as he says "wow" then pauses.

"I don't know what to say honestly," he said.

"This team is nothing short of incredible."

Sharon Shortle
BBC Sport commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Wakefield Trinity have made history!

They have turned their history from black and white into colour and become champions for the first time since 1968.

Daryl Powell has masterminded an incredible victory.

WAKEFIELD TRINITY HAVE DONE IT.

From relegation in 2023 and second-tier rugby league in 2024, to Super League CHAMPIONS of 2026.

Paul Rowley
Former St Helens head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

There's crowds gathering in and around the Wakefield bench they know it's all done. There's a few smiling faces and they're shaking hands as they get ready to celebrate in style.

We are into the final minute.

Wakefield are 60 seconds away from being confirmed as Super League's sixth title winner EVER.

Adam Lanigan
BBC Sport reporter at Old Trafford

There's a fire drill in the end to my right at Old Trafford.

Warrington Wolves fans have seen enough.