Liam Marshall will seize the opportunity to put seven years of Wembley grief to bed

Liam Marshall has plenty of happy memories as a supporter at Wembley, but as a player the memories are not so fond. The Wigan Warriors starlet has done it all at his boyhood club, enjoying a remarkable rise to become one of the best defenders in Super League.

However, there have been many adversities and heartaches along the way. Injuries robbed him of grand final appearances in 2018 and 2020, although before that he had the chance to turn out at Wembley in unusual circumstances.

Marshall was not supposed to play in the 2017 Challenge Cup final, but an injury to Tom Davies in the warm-up saw him drafted in minutes before kick-off. However, what he thought was a dream come true turned out to be a nightmare as the Warriors lost to Hull FC.

Marshall has since bounced back, scoring the winning try in a Challenge Cup final, albeit at Tottenham in 2022, as he helps the Warriors reach the grand final, League Leaders’ Shield and World Club Challenge glory.

Wigan’s latest visit to Wembley on Saturday gives them the chance to scratch an itch that has been lingering for seven years.

“I was still quite young then and I didn’t prepare perfectly,” he said. “Then I was thrown in at the last minute. I hope I can right some mistakes.

“I was young, a bit naive and I didn’t prepare mentally. Physically, we’ve been there, but this time we can get into it. You want to play the biggest and best games, and you want to play in them and compete. for silverware whenever you can. This is another chance.

Marshall was at Wembley the last time the Warriors won there – but as a fan. Amazingly, it has been 11 years since Wigan last triumphed at Wembley, something the Warriors hope to put right when they take on Warrington Wolves on Saturday.

“I was there as a fan in both 2011 and 2013,” Marshall recalls. “So even though the memories as a player aren’t great, they are as a supporter.

“I just love the buzz around it. You go down, you get to the services and there’s loads of Wigan fans everywhere. It’s just a great weekend, probably the biggest show in rugby league. I have good memories. Every time I went As a fan Wigan won I hope this time it will be great to play in and one of the best stadiums in the world.

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