Opposition guide: Wakefield Wildcats

May 22 2009 by Roy Wright, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

JASON DEMETRIOU, Wakefield’s captain and inspirational leader, has epitomised the Wildcats’ spirit for the last five years.

He was the club’s Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and was also named in the engage Super League Dream Team of 2007.

His English career included spells at Lancashire Lynx and Rochdale Hornets before he made a name for himself during a two-year stint with Widnes Vikings.

A rugged and skilful centre, he can also play loose-forward or full-back.

This year he will wear the No8 shirt in memory of late teammate Adam Watene.

KNOWN as a Challenge Cup expert after guiding Sheffield and Hull to shock wins in 1998 and 2005 respectively, Wakefield’s Jon Kear has an outstanding coaching reputation.

He consistently gets the best out of players and builds a camaraderie and commitment within his squad that proves invaluable in the unforgiving world of Super League.

A former head coach at the Giants, Bramley and Paris St Germain, it was at Sheffield Eagles where Kear shot to prominence.

He took over at the Don Valley in 1997 and the following season masterminded arguably the biggest ever Cup final upset when the Eagles stunned red-hot favourites Wigan at Wembley.

As England coach he led his country to the RL World Cup semi-finals in 2000 and took over at the Wildcats in 2006, rescuing the club from relegation by defeating Castleford in their final game of the season.