O’Loughlin: Strong motivations
- Sean O’Loughlin looks ahead to Friday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final.
- O’Loughlin: “People will want a good game, so we will do our best to entertain.”
- Wigan Warriors vs St Helens, Friday 27th November, KCOM Stadium, K.O. 8pm.
Club captain Sean O’Loughlin hopes that Wigan Warriors will be able to put in a worthy performance for the absent fans in Friday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final.
The loose forward, who will make his final appearance before hanging up his boots at the KCOM Stadium, spoke to the media earlier this week to discuss the final against rivals St Helens.
On facing up to calling time on his career, O’Loughlin admitted how he had come to terms with it.
“I’m definitely at ease with it. I’ve contemplated it for the last couple of seasons, so it’s not come as a shock.”
Much like the majority of the 2020 season, the Grand Final will be played behind closed doors.
Having played in many finals, in front of stadiums with over 70,000 spectators inside, the 38-year-old knows better than anyone how contrasting the atmosphere will feel.
“There’s no shying away from the fact that it’ll feel different, but the boys have had plenty of time to get to grips with it.
“The importance of the game is what will drive it.”
Because the Wigan faithful will have to experience the final from home, O’Loughlin explained how the players’ awareness of that would impact the game.
“Although the fans won’t be there, you still feel like you’ll be representing all those watching at home who’d love to be there.
“These games are always supported well. We are carrying a little more pressure to make it worthwhile watching at home. People will want a good game, so we will do our best to entertain.”
Having had plenty of big-game experience, the Warriors skipper highlighted how even in front of big crowds, in the heat of the moment, it’s possible to ignore.
“You can shut off from the crowd sometimes in those big games. As much as they add to it, the more intense a game is on the field, the less you are aware of the crowd.”
Many praised the high standards from both sides last time they met in Round 19, when the Cherry and Whites came out on top. Discussing this, O’Loughlin expects a game of similar quality again on Friday.
“I’m expecting this to be a massive game. The game a few weeks back was probably the most intense since lockdown.”
The Englishman isn’t the only giant of the game set to hang up his boots after the final whistle, with Saints’ James Graham planning on doing the same.
On the motivation of succeeding for departing players, O’Loughlin said: “Some of the best wins I’ve had, have involved people retiring or people leaving the Club.
“Clubs I’ve won with and been beaten by always have a strong reason motivating them.
“There’s not just myself retiring, we’ve got a number of lads leaving. It’s what it brings to the group as a whole, You want to do it for them as much as yourself.”
The Betfred Super League Grand Final 2020 is exclusively live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena and Now TV.
As advertised at the start of the Play-Offs, the free streaming service for season ticket holders via OurLeague has now ended, but you can order a 24 hour Now TV pass for just £9.98 here (https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online) to enjoy the Grand Final and a whole day of all 11 Sky Sports channels to stream via your TV, computer, tablet or phone.
Other live events you can enjoy within 24 hours either side of the Grand Final include South Africa v England T20 cricket, F1 Bahrain Grand Prix practice or qualifying, Everton v Leeds United and a variety of action from the NFL, EFL, golf, rugby union and much more.
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