Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone sees a significant shift underway within Super League, one he believes is both overdue and vital for the competition’s future. Having witnessed the same teams dominate the Grand Final for years, Johnstone welcomes the increasing parity across the league.
Since Bradford’s last championship win in 2005, the title was consistently claimed by either Leeds, St Helens, or Wigan, with Hull Kingston Rovers breaking that streak in 2023 as the fifth different winner. This year’s Grand Final, set to take place tonight, guarantees a sixth distinct champion, as Wakefield Trinity face Warrington Wolves for the league’s most prestigious prize.
Johnstone, who grew up attending Grand Finals, described the previous dominance as “boring” and expressed the importance of seeing a broader range of clubs compete for the title. “I used to come to the Grand Final every year with my mum,” he said. “We used to see the same people lift the trophy every year. It used to get a bit boring seeing it and especially playing in it and losing to Wigan in ’23 with Catalans. They’ve had a few now, Wigan, and I just wanted one.
“I’ve wanted to win a Grand Final with Wakefield for 12 years. It’d be the ultimate for me, but whoever wins, it’s just great for the game. It shows it’s becoming more competitive, and for everyone else, it shows that if you get things right, you’ve got an opportunity.”
Wakefield’s recent success has followed a dramatic turnaround after their relegation from Super League. Under the leadership of investor Matt Ellis and coach Daryl Powell, the club quickly climbed back, dominating the Championship and re-entering the top flight in 2025. This season, their progress has accelerated even further, with Johnstone confident this is only the beginning.
“That’s the goal,” he said. “Everyone’s probably said, ‘Wakefield has overachieved’, ‘it’s a fairy-tale story’, things like that. But we believe we deserve to be in this final. We want to be top four every year and in major finals every year. That’s the end goal.”
Johnstone’s return to Wakefield last year from Catalans Dragons was motivated by the club’s renewed ambition and vision. Initially skeptical after recently leaving, the winger said the convincing plans presented by Ellis, Powell, and general manager Ste Mills led to a swift decision to rejoin. "I signed the next day and then we went from there. It was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he reflected.
On the field, Johnstone has been a key contributor, amassing 123 tries in 161 appearances for Wakefield, including 22 tries in 20 games this season alone. His performances have also earned him a recall to the England squad, a position he is eager to retain ahead of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
“That’s what I’ve aimed for this year,” he said. “I’ve tried putting my best foot forward and hopefully I’ll do the same again on Saturday.”