Prior to Warrington’s rescheduled round 2 match with Hull KR in August, George Williams made it clear that despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he was going to be all in on his side’s end to the season. “Here I am, back in the mix,” Williams said, and his performance that night, leading Warrington to deal the most points Rovers had conceded at home under Willie Peters, indicated that he was right. But, with his side never dropping below 5th in the league even in his absence before coming home to finish 3rd, did Warrington themselves ever exit the mix?

I was guilty, as many others were, of taking the lazy approach to Warrington in the aftermath of the win at Craven Park. It was easy to take the position that Wire had quietly gone about their business, and that nobody was talking about them. But now, on the eve of their first playoff match, we’ve been saying that for a month. If there’s one thing proven by everybody saying that nobody is talking about them, it’s that we’re all now talking about them. 

Is there any truth in the original statement? Potentially. The necessity of their captain and leading man Williams to have neck surgery should have ended their season. To watch Warrington over the past few years has been to watch George Williams. Even if at the club’s recent end of season awards night Ben Currie took home the award for player of the season, it was George Williams who, despite missing 15 rounds, was voted the players’ player of the year. That is the magnitude of his importance to the side. 

Warrington’s efforts are made even more impressive when you consider their turnaround. Wakefield have often been the story when it comes to sides rising from the bottom to the top, but Wire going from missing out on the playoffs in 2025 to only missing out on a home semifinal on points difference in 2026 is quite the effort. Clearly, the same struggles that plagued them last year have not done so this year. Head coach Sam Burgess is no longer followed by that lingering sense that he’s destined for an NRL job, and as a result, a bit more experience has given him a slightly increased tactical astuteness. The approach at the Halliwell Jones no longer seems to be to simply go out there and play good rugby because a legend of the game is standing in front of you and saying to do so. Now, there looks to be something more concrete there.

Sure, there are times it fades away and becomes a bit weird. James Bentley is seemingly frequently employed as the side’s chief troublemaker, often in highlights packages but very rarely for actually playing any rugby. 

Despite missing more games than he has played, George Williams still has the most try assists for his side. But the answer for how to solve his absence came in the heart of the Warrington Academy side that went unbeaten in 2025. Ewan Irwin, having been the best player in that academy side, had no problems stepping up to Super League level, and proved himself to be one of the league’s most promising talents. With Williams having another swing at the NRL next year with the Dolphins, the future of that particular shirt at least looks in safe hands. 

While Irwin took most of the headlines, Leon Hayes, who by round 12 of the season was still on loan at Widnes, has played a role of similar importance in the halves this season. Quite where exactly he fits into Burgess’ plans for the playoffs remains to be seen. 

A feeling that Warrington are Super League’s overachievers does still surround them looking ahead to the playoffs. Should they beat Hull KR on Saturday evening, they’ll be met with a trip to Headingley to play a Leeds side that had their number in both meetings this season. Yet maybe, with the season on the line, Warrington will be able to use the lack of noise around them to pull off a surprise or two.