Ex-Halifax Panthers leader Liam Finn 'finding own way' on coaching journey as former boss completes historic treble at Wakefield Trinity

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In his last interview with the Halifax Courier before moving to Huddersfield Giants, former Panthers head coach Liam Finn discusses the impact Daryl Powell has had on his career.

Finn has taken up the position of assistant coach to Luke Robinson ahead of the Giants’ 2025 Super League campaign.

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Halifax-born Finn, who came to The Shay after guiding Dewsbury Rams to the 2023 League 1 title, led the Panthers to a ninth-placed finish in this season’s Championship - a division dominated by Wakefield Trinity.

Trin claimed a historic treble by beating Toulouse in last Saturday’s Grand Final at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.

Former Halifax Panthers head coach Liam Finn scoring a try for Castleford Tigers under the guidance of Daryl Powell at Headingley in 2015. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe.Former Halifax Panthers head coach Liam Finn scoring a try for Castleford Tigers under the guidance of Daryl Powell at Headingley in 2015. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Former Halifax Panthers head coach Liam Finn scoring a try for Castleford Tigers under the guidance of Daryl Powell at Headingley in 2015. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe.

And Finn was full of praise for Wakefield head coach Powell, who Finn played for at Featherstone Rovers and Castleford Tigers.

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He said: “It is a fair old achievement. Let’s not beat around the bush, they were strong, heavy favourites and the squad was there to do it but, at the same time, you have still got to go out there and do it.

“He was really good for me. I was fortunate to have him and Ryan Sheridan at the same time. Two former Great Britain half-backs. They went about it in different ways. Shez was more about the rugby side of it as assistant coach and Daryl was more about standards.

“His drive and his professionalism were probably the main things. He was competitive. He was also a really good player and his mentality set him apart.”

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Asked if there were certain parts of Powell’s qualities he has adopted into his own coaching roles, Finn said:

“You are influenced by everybody you have worked alongside and under in your playing and coaching career. There is a little bit of everything in there.

“Ultimately you have got to try and do it within what your personality is and how you go about stuff. You have to find your own way.”

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But did Powell guide the best ever Championship team to glory?

“I don’t think it’s better than that Leigh team from the other year,” Finn said. “That would have been an interesting game with the squad’s that they both had in their retrospective years.

“That Leigh team was just a juggernaut that beat everyone up straight down the middle whereas Wakey, and Daryl’s teams, play a bit more rugby.”

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