Eccles previews Reserves Grand Final
Shane Eccles insists the warriors are highly motivated ahead of sunday’s reserves grand final against st helens at the totally wicked stadium.
The Warriors, who finished a point behind St Helens at the conclusion of the regular season, will be looking to lift a third straight Reserves League trophy since the competition resumed post-Covid.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Final, the Warriors Reserves head coach said: “It’s a big game. It’s the first time we’ve finished second since league resumed so not having a home Grand Final will be different but exciting.
“It will present a different challenge to what we’ve had over the last few seasons but we will be able to see how this group react. This is what we’ve worked for since the start of pre-season in November and after a strong week in training, we’re all looking forward and ready to go on Sunday.”
On facing St Helens, Eccles said: “They’re a really good team who have been impressive all season. They got the better of us in the league meeting so for us that’s added motivation to go there and turn things around. Both teams have a number of players who have already progressed through to the First Team so it should make a great Grand Final.”
On his squad selection, Eccles said: “It will be mixed. We will include some older lads with First Team experience as well as younger Academy lads who have pushed up to this level at the start of the year. Saints have a similar mix to us which is what the Reserves is all about.”
Sharing the determination to win, Eccles said: “From our point of view we don’t just want it to be that we won the Reserves League two years in a row, we want to make that three. We haven’t touched on recent seasons too much as it’s about this current group, however, I know everyone themselves will be thinking they’d like to make it three.”
Eccles added: “Player development is always a high priority, however, the main goal on Sunday is to lift the trophy. It’s been a long year since the lads started pre-season in November so for them their focus in on winning that trophy – that’s what we want to do.”
Encouraging supporters to attend the Grand Final, Eccles said: “My main message is to just get down and watch the game. It will be different for our lads this year playing in an away Grand Final, however, to have supporters there behind them increases the event. Sunday will be a big test for both sides so having supporters behind them can make a huge difference.”
Supporters wishing to attend the Reserves Grand Final can enter the Totally Wicked Stadium by heading to the South Stand/South East section of the ground and entering through Turnstiles 10-14. Tickets will be priced at £5 adults, £3 concessions and £2 U16’s.
