Sean O'Loughlin: End of an era

Wigan Warriors Sean O'loughlin calls time on his 19-year playing career at the Grand Final on Friday Night.

Wigan Warriors have plenty to play for when they head to the KCOM on Friday Night. A Grand Final winner’s ring, bragging rights against their old rivals, and the opportunity to give their skipper Sean O’Loughlin the perfect ending to a magnificent career.

O’lLoughlin recently called time on an illustrious 19 year playing career – bringing down the curtain at the big dance.  

Fitting then that he will play his final match at the home of the team he made his Warriors debut against all those years ago. A fresh faced O’loughlin playing off the bench as a 19-year-old against Hull FC – alongside his now head coach Adrian Lam.

The Warriors skipper recalls that day with brutal honesty – stepping up into Super League was an eye-opening experience at the time – something he was not used to as he progressed through the Warriors lower grades.

He said: “I just remember feeling like I was out of my depth. Feeling like the standard of the game was way bigger than what I was used to.

“The biggest jump of all was that jump from ‘A’ team to first team. I just remember my lungs feeling like they were coming out of my chest,?? He recalled.

“It almost felt like I was a kid playing against a bunch of dads!??

A shock to the system at the time, O’Loughlin soon became accustom to the physicality and demand of topflight Rugby League.

Now, over 400 appearances later and three days after his 38^th birthday, he has the chance to play his final match in the famous cherry and white on the grandest stage of them all.

The decision to hang up his boots was not made lightly. But it’s one that O’Loughlin is ultimately happy with – ready to move onto the next chapter of his Rugby League career - in a coaching capacity at the Warriors club.

“It was tough making the final call but I’m definitely at ease with it,?? he explained.

“It’s something I’ve contemplated for the past couple of seasons, so its not like its been thrown up on me.

“It felt that this year was the right time.??

And what a career it has been. Named captain at just 24, he then four years later led the Warriors to their first major titles in eight years, winning the League Leaders’ Shield and his first Super League Grand Final in 2010.

Since then, he has collected three more Grand Final wins, two more League Leaders’ shields, two Challenge Cup wins, a World Club Challenge victory and seven inclusions into the Super League Dream Team - all with his hometown team.

Now, O’Loughlin has the chance to add one more medal to his impressive collection at the Grand Final on Friday night.

10 years on from his first Grand Final win, he has the opportunity to win his fifth winners ring -against the same team he beat back in 2010.

A fairy tale finish and a sentimental ending awaits the Warriors skipper – but it isn’t something that O’loughlin is entertaining - or leaning on - building up to Friday’s final.

He stated: “There’s no right there for me to go out and get it [win].

“I’m not going to get any privileges because of those things what are in place,?? he continued.

“Jammer [James Graham] and a few of the other Saints boys are in the same position. You don’t get any favours because of that.

“It would be great after the game to look back and look at all those link ups, but whoever gets the win will be whoever plays best on the night.??

It will be a full-blooded contest whatever the result on Friday evening. Both teams will be desperate to cap off an indifferent season for the sport with a Super League Grand Final win for their players, staff, and fans.