31 December 2023 , 20:44
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Jermaine McGillvary can’t wait to get started on an “adventure” that he believes will see Wakefield become a Super League powerhouse.
The former England winger is preparing for life in the Championship after joining relegated Trinity for 2024. But under new millionaire owner Matt Ellis and coach Daryl Powell, he fully expects them to make an instant top-flight return - and finally start challenging for silverware. However, after a lifetime at hometown Huddersfield, where he scored 209 tries in 312 games, his first business is getting used to new surroundings.
McGillvary, 35, admitted: “It is strange. It’s kind of daunting when you’ve been somewhere all your career - the last 16 years - to go somewhere new. I did wonder what it would be like. But I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought I ever could do. It’s a great bunch of lads.
"They’ve really helped me settle in, Powelly’s been great and [assistants] Michael Shenton’s a top young coach along with Danny Kirmond who I played with in my first year at Huddersfield. I reckon within three or four years Wakey will be a force to be reckoned with in Super League. Even in 2025 when they’re back there I think they’ll have a team to compete for the top-six. I’m really enjoying it. But all the Huddersfield lads - a different one every day - are still ringing me to see how I am!”
He is joined by the likes of fellow World Cup finalist Luke Gale, 35, and ex-Hull star Josh Griffin, 33, in a squad laden with Super League quality. McGillvary added: “Everyone from the outside sees Matt (Ellis) has invested his money. But Matt is there all the time in and around the place. He’s very approachable and we’re just the start. This season is just the start of what’s to come.
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Jermaine McGillvary has made the move from Huddersfield Giants (PA)“I know it’ll be bigger and better next year and the year after given the quality of players the club will attract with everything going on here: the new stand, a new players’ room, the way fans have got on board buying so many season tickets - there’s such a buzz around the city.”
McGillvary initially toyed with the idea of retiring after Huddersfield didn’t offer him a new deal. He's ready for one more blast but has confirmed 2024 will be the last of a brilliant career which includes being shortlisted for the Golden Boot in 2017.
He said: “I’m done after this season. That’s definite. I’m here to help kick-start what will be a fantastic journey for Wakey. People like me and Galey are going to help the start of it and in three or four years time we’ll be able to look at it and say: We were the start of that adventure.”