Rugby League legend Jermaine McGillvary on going from ‘down in the dumps’ to a treble winner

Rugby League legend Jermaine McGillvary has spoken reflectively after winning the Championship Grand Final in the last game of his long and illustrious career.

McGillvary would score ten of the 36 points as Wakefield Trinity won 36-0 against Toulouse Olympique to lift the Championship grand Final, ending their season as treble winners.

It was probably the first ten-point haul of McGillvary’s 16-year career in rugby league given that the winger bagged a brace before the 36-year-old brought out his hidden party trick and converted the second of his tries from the touchline in one of the best moments of the 2024 season.

Per Rugby League Project, it looks to be just the second-ever conversion that McGillvary scored with the first coming all the way back in his second season of professional rugby league when playing for Batley Bulldogs in 2009.

His career looked to be coming to an unceremonious close in 2023 with Huddersfield Giants not renewing the veteran’s contract, ending his 14-year spell with the club. Thankfully for McGillvary and for the sport, he’d pen a one-year deal with Wakefield Trinity and now the “rest is history” according to the former England international.

Rugby league legend reflects after the final game of his incredible career

Speaking post-game on The Sportsman Rugby League YouTube channel’s coverage of the game, McGillvary spoke with immense pride on the performance, the season and also on where the 2024 campaign ranks in his lengthy career.

“Yeah, I couldn’t ask for much more,” McGillvary explained as he was asked about the game being a perfect send-off.

“It was a great game, for the boys to keep Toulouse to nil after how they performed against us in France is outstanding.

“To go out on a high and win the Championship and win all three trophies this year is outstanding and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m really privileged to be a part of this group and a part of this club.”

Back in 2023 when it was confirmed that he would be leaving Huddersfield, McGillvary described the exit as a “bit shit” after being informed of his exit via phone call, however, he would pen a deal with Wakefield and as he explains, “the rest is history”.

“I was down in the dumps at the end of last season and Powelly came and got me. The rest is history. They’ve looked after me and I’ve not done too bad”, McGillvary stated.

“It’s up there. I’ve had a long and good career personally but I’ve not won many things,” the winger responded when asked where 2024 ranks in his career achievements.

“I’ve won a couple of series with England, I’ve won the League Leaders Shield with the Giants, but now I’ve got to play at Wembley, win a cup, obviously won the League, and now I’m winning here, so it’s up there.

“This group of players, they’re some of the best group of men that I’ve ever come across in my career and I’ve played a long time. I’m so grateful that I’ve got to come here, and I’ve got to be around them.”

He confirmed his decision to retire back in September, labelling the 2017 World Cup as the pinnacle of his career but a treble-winning end with two tries and a conversion isn’t a bad way to sign off.