Blog: ‘Traitors: Wigan Warriors Edition’
Sun, Sweat… and Suspicion. As Rads has left us to complete pre-season camp while he looks after business back in Wigan, I’ve been asked to keep you up to date on what is clearly the most important element of our time in Tenerife.
Yes… The Traitors.
It has quickly become one of the most ruthless parts of camp. Friendships questioned. Fingers pointed.
One stat tells its own story so far:
Faithfuls record: 0 wins from 11 games.
Not ideal.
Work First, Paranoia Second
Rest assured the players have been working exceptionally hard on the south-west coast of Tenerife. The squad were given a well-earned rest and recovery day on Thursday, complete with ice baths and pool sessions – a welcome relief in the unrelenting heat.
That set the group up nicely for another intense day of training today. Tactical detail, physical graft and mental resilience were all tested, with the conditions ensuring nothing came easy. Another high-quality day ticked off in pre-season preparation.
Back to Business: The Traitors
Last night’s Traitors meeting saw accusations flying around the room once again. The opening moments were brutal, with two ‘kills’ completed before a single vote had even been cast.
Deacs and Sam Walters were selected via a quiz question (as all serious decision-making should be):
How many Sam Walters equal the distance between The Brick Community Stadium and the Stade Jean-Bouin, where we face Catalans Dragons in June?
Answers on a postcard.
They had 30 seconds to leave the room and select two victims. The unlucky pair were Bevan French and Massuer Tom Burns, both dispatched swiftly before suspicion had even settled.
Both walked to the door…
Faithful.
Faithful.
From there, paranoia spread faster than sunburn.
Tactics, Trust… and Turning on Your Mates
The tactical focus soon swung firmly towards the coaching group — the logic being that surely at least one of them had to be a Traitor. Liam Farrell led the charge, accusations flew, eyes narrowed, and at one point Sean O’Loughlin even turned on his good mate Tommy. Nobody was safe.
Meanwhile, the Traitors quietly went about their business. Completing tasks. Dodging suspicion. Watching the group unravel. Clinical. Cold. Professional.
Votes were cast and suspicion centred on Kaide Ellis, young gun Charlie Jeffrey-Stott, and Paul Deacon, with a number of players and staff enthusiastically jumping aboard the “Deacs did it” bandwagon.
All three walked to the door…
Faithful.
Faithful.
Faithful.
Another clean sweep. Another miss.
The list of the fallen continues to grow:
- Jake Wardle
- Jai Field
- Kian McDermott
- Ethan Havard
- Bevan French
- Paul Deacon
- Kaide Ellis
- Charlie Jeffrey-Stott
- Liam Marshall
- Sam Griffiths
- Tom Burns
All victims of confidence, coincidence and wild accusation.
Camp rolls on: hard work banked on the field, recovery managed carefully, and chaos reigning supreme off it. One thing is clear – the lads may be preparing brilliantly for the season ahead…
…but they are still absolutely hopeless at catching Traitors.
More sweat. More suspicion. Same result. Stay tuned
Tom Fitzpatrick.
