'Never wanted to win a game more in my life': George Williams outlines Grand Final hunger ahead of Warrington Wolves farewell

The 31-year-old, who is leaving the Wolves for a second shot at Australia’s NRL with the Dolphins, says he has “never wanted to win a game more” than the Betfred Super League Grand Final against Wakefield Trinity.

Williams, who played in the Wigan Warriors side that beat Warrington in both the 2016 and 2018 Grand Finals, switched to Warrington in 2021 with the stated intention of emulating his earlier success and ending the Wolves’ long wait.

The Wigan-born star said: “I’ve been there before but I’ve never wanted to win a game more in my life, ever.

“I was bold enough to say it back then, and I stand on my words. The goal has never changed in five years. We missed the mark before, but now the opportunity is in front of us.”

Williams’ long-held dream of wrapping up his Warrington career by lifting the domestic sport’s ultimate prize was threatened by a serious neck injury he sustained in April, which looked likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

But Williams, who is also set to captain England in the upcoming World Cup campaign, returned in August to forge a fresh half-back partnership with 18-year-old Ewan Irwin that ultimately saw his side seal third place at the end of the regular season, and negotiate tough play-off tussles with Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos.

It means Warrington, who last lifted the league title in 1955, will face off with Wakefield, who have to delve back to 1968 for their own last encounter with silverware, in a match that guarantees a second consecutive first-time Grand Final winner.

“I made a commitment to myself that I’d leave with no regrets, and when I got that injury and they gave me a timescale to get back, I was adamant what I wanted to do next,” added Williams.

“My narrative is about wanting to leave Warrington with no regrets. I spoke about coming to Warrington to win, and it’s very fitting that this is my last game and I’ve got that opportunity.

“I promised myself that I would maximise everything I could. Who knows what the future holds, but it would be a great way to bow out of Super League, as a Super League champion.”

Warrington have made just one change for Saturday's decider, while Wakefield remain unchanged from their famous win at Wigan.

Former Trinity forward Jordy Crowther is in line to return from injury after coming in for Max Wood.

Daryl Powell has kept faith with the players that booked Wakefield’s place in a maiden Grand Final.

Warrington squad: Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, King, Hopoate, Ashton, Williams, Yates, Walker, Harrison, Stone, Currie, Powell, Byrne, Crowther, Irwin, Hayes, Bentley, Philbin, Lindop, Smith, Tanginoa.

Wakefield squad: Jowitt, Scott, Hall, Johnstone, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Tevaga, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, Faatili, Smith, Vagana, Walmsley, Sinfield, Myers, Rourke, Lolesio, Lipowicz.