The West Yorkshire club are well-placed to return to Super League at the first time of asking – but instead of it being decided on the field this Saturday evening, it will be decided by a comprehensive audit of the five IMG pillars of fandom, finances, facilities, catchment and performance.
Therefore, as things stand, Trinity do not know if a victory in this weekend’s Grand Final against Toulouse Olympique will be the difference between getting a Grade A or not.
For Powell, Wakefield’s regeneration has been the focus of this year.
Powell remarked, “The IMG scores and all that stuff is really strange.”
It’s a little odd that the scores are announced after the Grand Final, as we had anticipated.
There is a wonderful mood that permeates the club and the location where it is heading.
“This year has almost been a rebirth with new ownership and winning consistently – which has been a long time coming for Wakefield.
“Matt Ellis and his family have given us everything we need to do our jobs.”
Powell, meanwhile, has not given much thought to the points required for Super League Grade A.
“To be honest, I haven’t gone into that. All we can do is win the game. I don’t think there is an added pressure on the players
