Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis on creating a ‘monster’ after historic Grand Final win

Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis, the man whose financial backing and unmitigated support has helped transform the club, has given his reaction after the club made history and won the Super League Grand Final.

After blitzing Wigan Warriors last week, Wakefield went one better and defeated Warrington 23-10 to win their first top division league title since 1968. Ellis was the man whose backing helped Trinity win the Championship in 2024 and it’s his backing that’s seen them lift the Super League trophy two years later.

When asked post-match on Sky Sports what exactly he has created, Ellis responded swiftly: “A monster. That was a monster performance.

“The lads were just on it. Tough, skillful, brave, what a group of boys.”

Having spoken on Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast earlier this year, Ellis set a goal of winning the Super Legaue Grand Final in five years but incredibly, his side have won it inside just six months – with their trophy lift coming just three years after he bought the club following their relegation.

On that, he said: “I pumped in positivity, like I always do, a bit of ambition, but, I didn’t think three years. I was just sat in shock in the second half then.”

Wakefield Trinity are 2026 Super League Champions! – Click here to watch the Serious About Rugby League Grand Final Review Show

Wakefield Trinity owner reflects on ‘unbelievable’ Old Trafford win

Initially a football fan, Ellis saw Wakefield play in his hometown of Barnsley at Oakwell Stadium, something that he’s admitted got him hooked on rugby league.

“This is one of the best moments of my life,” he said post-match at Old Trafford.

“It’s bang on there, it is, this is forever, it is. To do it with these lads, the lads that, we took out of the championship for five or six of them who were down on us when we just got relegated. There’s Max and Pittsy there, it’s unbelievable, unbelievable.”

Whilst Ellis’ backing has made it possible, the appointment of Daryl Powell as a coach, who was hired after being sacked by Warrington, was the masterstroke that made this is all possible.

On why he chose Powell, Ellis said: “Year after year at Leeds, at Fev, at Cas, he was quality. You don’t become a bad coach in 18 months so we met up, and give it a bit of ‘let’s come back and win a Grand Final’ and we’ve beat Warrington in the final. I can’t believe it’s happened.”

He was also clear on what’s next, calling for the World Club Challenge to be contested next year against the NRL Grand Final winners, adding: “Let’s speak to the fans and see where they want it, at Belle Vue it would be unbelievable. I had my first game at Oakwell and I’d love it there. Let’s see what happens.”

A HISTORIC VICTORY ⚜️@WTrinityRL are your 2026 @Betfred #SuperLeague Champions! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e6JZmOIbgM

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 3, 2026