Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards: Daryl Powell determined to turn remarkable progress into something special

What has followed since would have seemed scarcely believable at the time.

Under Matt Ellis' ambitious ownership and Daryl Powell's experienced leadership, Trinity have gone from an uncertain future in the Championship to their highest-ever Super League finish.

Importantly, they have improved year on year: a second-tier treble followed by finishes of sixth and fourth at the top level.

"It's progression, isn't it?" said Powell at Monday's play-off launch.

"The club is on a journey to do special things. Sixth to fourth is natural progression for us.

"We need to do well in the play-offs now. We need to get to a semi and see what we can do there.

"We haven't won anything yet. That's the key thing. We want to win something. That's where we're heading."

Their ability to win when it matters most is the one question mark hanging over this Trinity side since their return to Super League.

Leigh Leopards – the team that confirmed Wakefield's relegation in 2023 – have continued to be a thorn in their side.

The Leopards beat their rivals in the Challenge Cup and play-offs last season, while Trinity also lost to Wigan Warriors in a quarter-final earlier this year.

"They're all lessons," added Powell.

"Everybody talks about big moments and you've got to get those right in these big games.

"Even the game last week was important for us. We nailed that and have just got to be outstanding in these games now to give ourselves a chance."

Wakefield's victory over Leigh in the final round of the regular season secured home advantage for tonight's eliminator, a reward that did not come easily.

Faced with the toughest run-in of all the play-off contenders, Trinity showed their spirit to bounce back from a run of defeats and book a first home tie since 2009 with three straight wins.

"Even in the games that we lost, we were pretty close against Leeds and Wigan away as well," said Powell. "It was 20-0 at half-time but there was nothing in the game, really.

"The one against Saints, I just thought we got rattled by the Leeds game and didn't perform at all. We fell apart a bit at the back end.

"We reset ourselves and have gone York, Warrington and Leigh. We've played really well in the last two games in particular.

"We had to play really well to beat Warrington because they came to play. We had an unbelievable second half and then an unbelievable first half against Leigh.

"I feel like it's in the team to put a full 80 minutes of outstanding rugby league together that can challenge anybody. We feel like we're in a great place to go and have a crack at it.

"We learned a lot last year in that (play-off) game against Leigh. We're carrying those lessons with us now."

Trinity were outmuscled and outclassed from the first whistle in a harsh play-off lesson in 2025.

Back at the same venue seven days ago, Wakefield showed how far they have come in 12 months.

Now, with a semi-final place on the line, Powell has called for the same kind of smothering intensity inflicted on them by Leigh last year.

"I thought we did that last weekend," he said. "The challenge is to do that again and be consistent with it.

"There are some areas of our game from last week that we can sharpen up a little bit. If we do that, we'll be even harder to beat.

"We're mindful that they're not just going to sit there and wait for us. It's going to be a great game."

For only the second time in Super League history, Belle Vue is preparing to host a play-off.

This time, though, Wakefield arrive with the expectation that comes with finishing fourth and the belief that they belong here.

For supporters who have endured more lows than highs over the years, it promises to be a night to savour.

Three years ago, they were coming to terms with relegation; tonight, they will be dreaming of Old Trafford.

"The fans will come out in numbers," said Powell. "They've supported us so well this year.

"I think the style we play is good to watch and the fans have really enjoyed it.

"Of course, it's got to be successful and win games. I feel like we've done that as well. It's been a win-win so far but there are big challenges around the corner.

"We need to feed off the atmosphere and make sure we do ourselves justice. I'm confident the boys will do that."