TYLER Dupree may secure his first piece of top flight silverware before aiming to go all the way to Super League glory.
But the Wigan ace insists he approaches every match like he did when he was toughing it out in very different circumstances at Oldham.
And do not expect calmness before they, Catalans and St Helens are locked on 38 points going into the final day.
The Warriors star has done it the hard way, being released by Leeds before playing in front of three-figure crowds in the Championship.
However, even though he will be doing it in front of a sellout tonight as they aim to secure the League Leaders’ Shield at Leigh, his mindset will be the same as it was at Bower Fold, Stalybridge – where the Roughyeds played.
Dupree, who moved from Salford, said: “This could be my first experience of silverware at this level but I approach every game as I did, I’m still nervous for two days before kick-off.
“And I feel a better player now than I did when I came. Training here is a lot more intense. It’s difficult to put into words, everything just seems a lot more.
“Everything is built towards getting the best out of the players and I feel like that’s happening for me.
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“But I didn’t even think about the Grand Final before joining. I just thought about playing and improving where I can. Silverware wasn’t my first thought.”
Dupree’s development at Salford after they signed him from the Vikings saw him head to Wigan in mid-season after earning his England debut.
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Performances have put him in the running for a place in Shaun Wane’s side to face Tonga next month and he certainly feels as though working with Matt Peet has taken him a step further.
Also, it has made him used to the big stage as Wigan look to go all the way to Old Trafford glory, starting with seeing off Catalans’ and St Helens’ bids for the shield.
He is not counting anything just yet, though, as he gets ready to face the Leopards for the FIFTH time this season.
Dupree, who is thankful trips from his Halifax base have not been too arduous added: “We’re treating every game like a Grand Final, that’s how we’re moving forward and hopefully we’ll reap the rewards.
“Tonight is exciting, it’s anyone’s game and it’s been an intense league. It’s not been like this for a while and the standard’s improved.
“As Wigan is a big side that is going places, it was a big step but it’s what I wanted. It’s what I feel I need to make me a better player, I want to play in the big games.
“There were nerves before I arrived here. Wigan’s a really big club and to get the opportunity of playing for them is massive but I had to put that to one side and show why I deserve to be here.
“Matt gives me the rough and the smooth but I feel like he’s helping my game and I feel like I know Leigh’s players better than some of my mates at home now!”
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