Wigan Warriors were within touching distance of winning their first trophy of the Adrian Lam era in 2020.
However, in the cruellest of twists, Jack Welsby scored with no time left to win the Grand Final for St Helens.
A lot was made of the decision to take two points from a penalty, when it was a fair distance away, and they could have moved closer for a stab at a drop-goal.
However, as Lam correctly pointed out after the game, if they had done that and missed, people would have said why not take the two?
This was the second time Wigan had come up short in a big game last year. We look at what they could potentially improve on to win that major trophy.
Dealing with conditions
It started on a cold afternoon in St Helens, where they faced Leeds Rhinos in a Challenge Cup Semi-Final.
As one of the most consistent sides in the Super League all year, Wigan would have fancied themselves heading into that match.
However, Wigan just could not adapt their game to the conditions, and Leeds ended up winning 26-12.
Usually, a wet day results in up-the-jumper rugby, the forwards do a lot of the work, as naturally, the fast passing becomes a lot trickier with a slippery ball.
Wigan, on that day, just did not adapt their game well enough on the day. Whilst it is tricky to change your game to the conditions, teams have to do what they have to do in order to win.
Lam had spoken in the week about how much the Challenge Cup meant to him, and given that the club had not been to Wembley since 2017, and had not won it since 2013, it would have been nice to win.
On occasion, Wigan would kick early in that match, to try and keep the Rhinos under pressure, but it did not work. Leeds pack was the stronger that day meaning they came out of yardage comfortably and in comparison, Wigan couldn't make as many yards when Luke Gale pinned them in the corners. They could not get themselves up the pitch enough to cause Leeds problems.
Wigan’s discipline that day was also a factor, as Leeds ended up taking the two points three times to help drag them out of sight.
When they had the ball, they needed to be more aggressive through the middle, and try to give Leeds more to think about.
Later on in the year, Wigan proved they could do it in a big match, as they travelled to St Helens and took top spot from their bitter rivals.
That day, Jackson Hastings, Tommy Leuluai and Bevan French ran the show for Wigan, as they won 18-6 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
That confidence would have been helped further by securing the League Leaders Shield with a win over Huddersfield Giants.
Belief was building that Wigan could go all the way when they got past an enthusiastic Hull FC side in the playoffs.
They would face St Helens again in Hull to potentially lift the Super League title.
Defining moments
The Grand Final was a close game. Neither side gave an inch. The Warriors scored the first try through Jake Bibby, and had the chance to go four points in front with Zak Hardaker’s conversion. However, the kick hit the crossbar and bounced away.
Saints then levelled with a penalty, but Wigan had the chance to win it late on as Saints conceded a penalty for a ruck offence.
It was a tall order, but Hardaker put his hand up for the opportunity to make himself a hero. It was 40m out and wide of the posts. However, the kick landed short, which gave Saints the field position for that final play.
Had they have gone for the field position instead of the two points, they surely would have gotten at least extra time, granted there is no guarantee Wigan would have had a shot at goal in extra time.
But perhaps Wigan's biggest mistake of all was not chasing Hardaker's conversion attempt as the ball sailed towards the post. The Warriors were caught ball-watching. When Saints retrieved the ball, they were able to make an easy 30 metres which then put them in position to go for the drop-goal. We all know what happened from there.
These are the minuscule details that can be the difference between winning and losing.
This was another match when some opportunities didn't quite land for Wigan. Whether it was nerves or just poor execution, remains to be seen. A couple of times, they tried to go wide to Bibby, but the ball ended up going through hands, or out of play.
Fine margins often decide big games, a couple of them just need to go Wigan’s way if they are to win a major trophy again.
