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Super League Grand Final Preview: Wigan v Warrington

After back-to-back defeats in the Super League finale, Shaun Wane says victory at the third time of asking would be his greatest moment.

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If Wigan Warriors avoid a third straight Super League Grand Final defeat when they take on Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday it would surpass their 2013 double, according to coach Shaun Wane.

Wigan overcame Warrington 30-16 at the same venue three years ago, adding the Super League title to their Challenge Cup triumph.

The Warriors have battled through an injury-plagued season to reach this weekend's finale, where they will be without the likes of Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Tony Clubb and Sam Tomkins.

Wane, who welcomes Ben Flower back from suspension, believes overcoming such adversity would be the crowning moment of his time with the club.

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"It would be our best ever [victory]. We have won a double - it would surpass that, it would be fantastic. The things we have been through this year have been unbelievable," he told Sky Sports News.

"We have had some bad luck, but the young players that have come in, I am so proud of them. We had 10 Wigan lads who have been through our system playing against Hull [FC in the semi-final] and it is going to be the same this week."

Wane could be boosted by the possible return of captain Sean O'Loughlin, who, despite being left out of the 19-man squad, is back in training following a calf injury.

"He's trained this week, he's trained this morning [Friday]. We will have a look at him in the team run and go through to the warm-up before the game and if he's good we will put him in. He's too valuable, he's too good a player," he added.

Warrington claimed the League Leaders Shield despite suffering a 35-28 defeat to 12-man Wigan in their penultimate Super 8s match.

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The Wolves are yet to win a Grand Final in the current format and boss Tony Smith, who guided the club to the 2012 and 2013 events which ended in defeat, is eager for them to put that right this time around.

"It would give me a lot of satisfaction doing it for the people who have followed this club for a long time and have been with us for so many years," he said.

"We're a very proud club with a great history. If we can change that history it would be an honour and privilege for us to be a part of that.

"This one has been elusive for us, but there is a real determination about the players at the moment."

Warrington have Ryan Bailey, Brad Dwyer and Chris Sandow, who has been sidelined since the Challenge Cup final defeat to Hull FC in August, back in their squad, while Josh Charnley will hope to make a mark for Wigan ahead of his impending code switch to Sale Sharks.

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