When Wakefield Trinity came back into Super League for the 2025 season, there wouldn't have been many who would have foreseen a semi-final appearance within two seasons- except those in their inner sanctum.
That inner sanctum, among others, consists of owner Matt Ellis, head of recruitment Ste Mills, and head coach Daryl Powell.
Working in tandem, they came up with a plan for how they would continually progress: they have signed raw talent, made them stars, provided a stadium that both home and away fans enjoy attending, and now brought the progressive and rapid success that their most faithful have been waiting so long to see.
An example of turning that raw talent into a shining diamond? Caleb Hamlin-Uele. Wakefield saw something in a player who was not breaking through in the NRL. They brought him into the Championship, moulded him, made him one of Super League's best props, and now he is truly in contention to represent England at the World Cup this autumn.
Of course, the biggest success of all would be a trophy. But for now, they are through to their first ever Super League semi-final after their 26-16 victory over Leigh in the Eliminators.
Wakefield's victory was down to their immense forward pack which took control early in the second half. Even with Emre Guler shown red on the hour mark for what appeared to be a punch, they had done enough to keep Leigh at arm's length and see the game home.
It is further reward for what has been a remarkable rise from Wakefield.
"We are going to go where we are going to go. We are just going to prepare as best we can," Powell said.
"I think we can beat anybody.
"Wakefield have never won a play-off game - that is a box ticked.
"Now it is whether we can win a Grand Final. We have two games to do something special.
"It is difficult but doable.
"You are one game away from getting to a Grand Final that would be huge for the club.
"You have got to be excited by that. We are all excited about how good we can be as a team.
"We will do everything we need to in order to give ourselves the best chance to do that."
Powell has been there and done this before with a team that was not expected to be at the big dance. Castleford, back in 2017, blew everyone away, won the League Leaders' Shield, then beat St Helens with a Luke Gale drop goal to make it to Old Trafford.
They could not complete the final hurdle.
Wakefield have two more hurdles to go. A semi-final against either Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos. A win in that? Then they go to the Theatre of Dreams trying to complete theirs.
If they do that, the inner sanctum's belief that raw potential can become greatness will have been achieved.
Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity 26-26 Leigh Leopards
Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5.30pm on Your Site
Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Your Site
Semi-Final 2 - Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors v TBC, 5.30pm KO on Your Site
The Super League play-offs are under way, live on Your Site, and continues all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
