Hull KR determined to use Wembley pain as fuel for Super League title defence
The emotions could hardly have been more different from the scenes that followed Hull KR's historic triumph last year.
The tears of joy and euphoric celebrations were replaced by disbelief and devastation as Wigan Warriors ripped the trophy from their grasp.
Having celebrated one of the most memorable wins in their history on their previous visit to Wembley, this was the other side of elite sport.
Elliot Minchella walked past the Challenge Cup after collecting his runners-up medal, close enough to reach out and touch the trophy he lifted 12 months earlier.
Instead, the KR captain was left to watch Wigan celebrate with the silverware his side had travelled to the capital determined to keep.
"It's a contrast of the emotions from 12 months ago but no excuses, the best team won on the day and it didn't feel too good," said Minchella, who also featured in the 2023 Wembley defeat to Leigh Leopards.
"We have to take responsibility as players who went out there and didn't perform. It wasn't a very Hull KR performance.
"You're digging yourself a hole if you give penalties away against a quality side, especially coming out of yardage. We did that far too often. A good team like Wigan make you pay for that and that's what they did.
"It could be a mix of things but it's down to individuals and us players have to take responsibility for that. We have to be cleaner in the ruck and not give the referee an opportunity to give the penalties. It's not on the referee; it's on us players.
"We need to look at ourselves in the mirror, find out why and be better for it, learn and remember the feeling that we're feeling now and use it as motivation. We're disappointed."
The 40-10 defeat marked a disappointing end to Willie Peters' Challenge Cup story with the Robins.
The Australian, who is preparing to leave for the NRL, guided Rovers to three finals in four years – including last year's historic win over Warrington Wolves – but there was no fairytale finish on Saturday.
"It's not how we would have imagined it would have gone but we've had a great journey so far," added Minchella.
"It's not done just yet but we wanted to send him out as a Challenge Cup winner and unfortunately we've not done that.
"The beauty of the cup is that we have next week. It's not October yet and we have a couple more trophies to go after. That will be our focus moving forward.
"The best way to react to this is some good old-fashioned hard work. That's what we'll be doing as players and going after it.
"It's a long time till the business end."
Rovers must quickly pick themselves up as attention turns to a testing Super League assignment at Wakefield Trinity on Saturday.
Peters' men sit fourth in the table, just two points adrift of leaders Leeds Rhinos with a game in hand.
Like his captain, James Batchelor is determined to ensure the agony of Wembley becomes the driving force behind KR's title defence.
"It's tough to lose a final," said the club's vice-captain. "We just weren't good enough and just have to take it.
"We didn't start the game well enough, we weren't good enough in the middle and didn't finish the game well enough.
"Wigan deserved to win and congratulations to them – but we were miles off for the full 80.
"We've got to let it hurt and use that pain to fuel everything from now on.
"We're definitely feeling it at the moment."