Riddell relishing own swansong

Mark Riddell is anxious to make sure the 2010 Engage Super League Grand Final is not remembered as the story of just one departing hooker.

A lot of the build-up to Saturday's Old Trafford showpiece has inevitably focused on St Helens legend Keiron Cunningham, who is preparing to hang up his boots after 17 glorious seasons, but his opposite number wants to upstage him and help Wigan to a first league crown since 1998 in his final game for the Warriors.

"This was definitely one of my goals when I came over here. When I spoke to the club about coming it was about the opportunity to win trophies," said Riddell. "It's finally come and I'm looking forward to it and hopefully putting in a good performance. This is the biggest game of my career - I've never played in a Grand Final before."

Wigan finished top of the Super League table at the end of the regular season and then overcame a stumble against Leeds to reach the Grand Final with victories over Hull KR and the Rhinos.

Riddell feels that under new coach Michael Maguire the Warriors have started to fulfil the potential they showed in his first season at the club.

He added: "I thought getting this far was a realistic aim.

"With coming so close last year we definitely had the talent and we have shown that as we have only really brought Paul Deacon in since.

"The addition of Michael Maguire to the coaching staff - along with Shaun Wane, Mark Bitcon and Kris Radlinski - I think they have done a great job all year.

"We've worked really hard and we enjoy playing together. We have got to where we want to be and have just got to take one more step."

Riddell is leaving Wigan two years into a three-year contract after the game to return to his native Australia and be closer to his mother, who is suffering from cancer.