Warrington Wolves 2022 season review

Warrington recorded their lowest ever finish in the Super League era after a disappointing season under new manager Daryl Powell.

The Wolves ended in 11^th place, this is unseen territory for a club that in the past decade, has been challenging the top of the division regularly.

12 clubs compete in the Super League, with the team that finishes last being replaced by the winner of the Grand Final in the Championship, the division below. Warrington came close to being relegated for the first time in their history, having been ever presents in the top flight since 1895.

Ex Castleford coach, Daryl Powell linked up with the Wolves prior to the 2022 season. The club saw the appointment as a step up from their previous manager and were in the hope that they could finally achieve a first ever Super League title.

Thus far, it has largely been bitter disappointment for Warrington. The club is miles off where they need to be, and it is unclear at this point in time if Powell will be given another year to change the club’s fortunes.

Warrington have finished 10^th four times in the Super League era but never lower until now, and also not since 2009. This season has enraged a large number of fans who have been calling for Powell to go.

What was supposed to be a fresh start for Powell and Warrington, was never going to be easy. The board will most likely show leniency as the head coach had a very difficult task. Warrington have shown weak mentality combined with a negative culture when it really counts, especially in Super League.

What Powell has done well so far was turfing out the ‘bad apples’ within the club, to try and improve the aura around the Halliwell Jones. He has said on many occasions that the work going on behind the scenes will take a lot of time but is highly significant.

However, what is taking place on the pitch has to improve. In the long term, Warrington are looking to build a team upon a winning mentality, but if results do not improve early into next season than Powell could be axed quickly, as the Wolves cannot afford another season quite as poor.

Warrington started 2022 strongly with an away victory at Leeds, followed by two further wins at home to Castleford, and in France against Toulouse. However, four defeats in a row followed, combined with a loss to Wakefield at the first hurdle in the Challenge Cup.

They then went on to lose another seven of their next 10 games, before a sparkling performance at the magic weekend led fans to believe they might turn their season around. However, a great performance then did not spark a rebuild as a further four games were lost in a row.

Their season was saved by a home victory against relegation rivals, Toulouse, all but assuring safety. Nevertheless, the season ended the same way for the Wolves, as they lost a further three in a row before a final day victory away at Salford.

The Halliwell Jones stadium has been somewhat of a fortress for Warrington in recent years, yet in 2022, the home faithful only saw five victories. There nine wins in the year is their second lowest ever tally, when a similar amount of games have been played in the season.

Overall, there wasn’t many positives for Warrington this season, breaking a lot of records that they did not want to break. There has been a disturbing atmosphere amongst the fanbase but in fairness, they have stayed loyal and turned up in their numbers most weeks to support their team.

If you want to scramble to find some positives going into next year, Powell will now have his own squad of players to train and work with over the Winter. Furthermore, he has had a year to change the culture at the club and will be attempting to build confidence heading into 2023.

 

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