The 2018 Betfred Super League Grand Final was only ever going to be contested by Wigan and Saints. The experts, the neutrals and even Betfred themselves couldn’t really see a way for the top two of the regular season not to meet at Old Trafford this Saturday night (13th October). This week’s ‘Sports 360 Supremo’ however, had other ideas.
Warrington Wolves winger Tom Lineham came up with two outstanding tries to ensure that it would in fact be the men in Primrose and Blue facing Wigan and not St Helens, giving the Wolves the chance to lift a Championship trophy for the first time since 1955.
A first half without tries meant it was going to take something extra special to tip this tie in favour of one team over the other and Lineham, who was very nearly suspended for the semi final clash, was on hand to produce two moments of game defining magic. The outstanding team of the season and hot favourites to reach The Grand Final were put in their place by a man on a mission.
Before eventually moving to Hull FC in 2011, Lineham enjoyed his junior years with York RUFC and it wasn’t until he attended York College in 2008 that he discovered ‘the greatest game of all.’ His electric performances on the wing then led to him joining York City Knights, where he then caught the eye of the Black and Whites from across the County.
As a youngster trying to breakthrough in any Sport, there comes a game or a season where you realise someone is there to stay and that year for Tom Lineham, was 2013. After making 25 appearances and scoring 17 tries that season, he picked up the Albert Goldthorpe rookie of the year medal and was also named in the Super League Dream Team.
More tries and dazzling displays followed for Hull FC and in 2016, Lineham moved to Warrington Wolves, where the upward trajectory of his career stalled somewhat. Loss of form and a questionable attitude were attributed to his dip in performance, but as we all know, youngsters can quite often hit peaks and troughs in Sport, Rugby League and life in general.
Thankfully however, his career seems to be well and truly back on track and only time will tell if this week’s ‘Sports 360 Supremo’ has any more magic left up us sleeve for the 2018 Grand Final, which could then land him a place in Warrington Wolves’ Sports 360 Hall of Fame Lounge!
