Max Jowitt dreaming of one last chapter with Wakefield Trinity

Every victory buys another week, another game and another opportunity to prolong the story.

There are no guarantees, as history-making Hull KR head coach Willie Peters discovered in last week's eliminators – making every remaining moment with the club that bit more precious.

Max Jowitt is acutely aware that every game could be his last in a Wakefield shirt as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his long association with the club.

An academy product, the full-back has made almost 200 appearances for his hometown club since his debut in 2014.

Yet while the greater sense of jeopardy has added a different complexion to his final few weeks, Jowitt insists his own situation is secondary to the chance to create something special with Trinity.

"A little bit," said the 29-year-old ahead of the club's first-ever Super League semi-final. "But you've just got to put that to the back of your mind.

"It's not about me; it's about the team and trying to get to the Grand Final and ultimately win it.

"I've got to put my emotions to the back of my mind and do whatever I can to help this team achieve greatness."

Daryl Powell's side have already made history by achieving the club's highest-ever Super League finish of fourth before moving to within 80 minutes of the Grand Final for the first time.

Last week's eliminator win over Leigh Leopards allowed Jowitt to end his Belle Vue story on a memorable note.

The key to a successful finish was sticking to the approach that has served him so well over the years.

"It was a very special night, not just the result but the whole atmosphere and occasion," said Jowitt.

"It felt quite weird to know that was the last time I'd run out here as a Wakefield player but it was quite easy for me to treat it as just another game. I'm quite a chilled-out, relaxed player anyway and don't get too nervous before games.

"The intensity was a bit higher because it was a play-off game but ultimately it's something I've done for 13 seasons so it was just a case of doing what I've done throughout my career.

"It's a tough test now this weekend – but I think we're ready for it."

A date with the irrepressible Wigan Warriors in their backyard represents the ultimate challenge for any team in Super League right now.

Wakefield have lost to the Warriors twice during their 16-match winning run, yet their belief remains undiminished.

"We can beat anyone if we play well," said Jowitt.

"When we went over there not so long back, I don't think the scoreboard reflected the game. We gave them a couple of easy tries and had one disallowed ourselves. We can't afford to gift them tries this weekend.

"We've got a game plan in place. If we execute that, we can absolutely turn them over."

Whether the final chapter is written at the Brick Community Stadium or Old Trafford, Jowitt's Wakefield story will end over the next week.

True to form, he is putting any time for reflection on hold.

"Not yet," said Jowitt, who will join York Knights at the end of the year. "We've got a big game this weekend.

"Once the season ends, it'll probably take a bit of time to sink in and then I'll look back at 13 amazing seasons here.

"What the club have done for me and my family has been special – giving me an opportunity as a young lad coming through. I can't thank them enough.

"I want to repay them now by bringing some (major) silverware back here, which hasn't happened for a very long time. As a Wakefield lad, it's something I'd love to do. We're daring to dream."

Jowitt will always be remembered as a key member of the Trinity side that returned to Super League in style as Championship treble winners.

However, his standout moment may be yet to come.

"Yeah, hold that thought," he said with a smile. "Give me a couple of weeks and I might have a different answer.

"If not, I'd probably say getting the club back into Super League after that horrific year when we got relegated.

"To see the growth of the club has been unbelievable. If you'd told me 10 years ago what the place would look like now, I wouldn't have believed you.

"I'm pretty sure that if it doesn't happen this year, there will definitely be trophies back here in the next year or two."