MORE than a decade since he first joined the club, Simon Grix is a man better placed than most to cast judgement on Warrington's current standing.

In autumn 2004, and recently moved into their new Halliwell Jones Stadium home, The Wire had just finished eighth in Super League; nine points adrift of Wakefield and a play-offs place and nine points off Castleford Tigers and the relegation zone.

Grix, despite not making his debut until 2006, arrived from Halifax that November and as he calls time on his playing career with the club he has reassured fans that a frustrating 2015 season was merely a blip.

“I’ve seen the club transform,” said the 30-year-old, who will play part time at Halifax next season alongside completing a sports science degree at the University of Bolton and occupying a performance role with Wolves.

“I’m proud to have been part of that transition and sad it’s not going to continue, but that’s sport.

“When I joined they were a bit of a steady team who were all right on their day, not really respected by anyone in the league – I don’t think anyone feared them or worried about playing them.

“Over time the club has progressed and built on the field and off it. We’ve become a team now where years like this one just aren’t acceptable, really.

“The level of expectation we’ve got to, we’ve earned that, but we’ve got to maintain it to keep it.

“At the end of the day we’ve not been good enough for the level of expectation we have now.

"It’s a strange one, confidence. You don’t know where it comes from sometimes, you can be high one week and all of a sudden it’s gone and hard to get back.

"Pre-season is going to be a tough one and we’ll come back better, but attitude is a big one which will breed confidence.

"The club have got some good players coming in and things are going to change off the field.

“I know the club are making big efforts off the field and they’ve got to be matched on it for us to get back on track next season – things will be better next year.”

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The second row was forced to watch the last year of his Wolves career from the stands after suffering a horrific leg injury against St Helens in September 2014.

But Grix says he has had the best possible treatment – including using facilities at Manchester City Football Club and the University of Bolton – to fix a complex problem.

Coming out of a protective boot and off crutches after five months, he saw a nerve specialist to gradually get the use of his muscle back.

Two muscles are yet to respond, but it was a metal plate causing him the most pain and that has now been removed earlier than planned.

“It’s been difficult because it’s never been straightforward,” he explained. “Healing took a lot longer than anticipated because the leg was a mess, it was in bits.

“I started off with a shed load of problems and over time I whittled them down. Those problems have been that slow to get over, it’s been a nightmare."

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But Grix has received praise from head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith for his attitude during a long rehabilitation process.

“What else can you do? I need to get right for my life not just for rugby," he said. "So you don’t really have a choice when you’re injured, it’s your job to get on with it and get yourself back.

“Going in and moping around in training is not doing anyone any good.

“It’s ironic now, but I broke my leg at the beginning of the 2005 season playing for the 21s at the time.

“I ended up missing pretty much all year and got a couple of games for the 21s at the end of the season, so it's ironic that I’m leaving on an injury as well.”

He has put that experience to good use by working with those recovering from injuries in Wolves' ranks this season.

"Unfortunately, I’ve got some experiences with injuries these young blokes have never had," he added. "They’re worrying about things that if they look back at it when they return to play they’ll feel was a bit stupid – but it’s all normal stuff.

"With me being there and having done it plenty of times, I feel like I’ve been good for them and my experiences have helped them get through it a little bit.

"Being a senior player, turning in and making sure I do my job properly gives them a bit of accountability and makes sure they get on with theirs."

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And the former Ireland international will always hold a soft spot for those in primrose and blue.

“It’s been great and I’m really proud to have got through the 10 years, because I have had a lot of injuries along the way and you don’t get many pats on the back for coming back from them,” said Grix.

“I think I’ve done well in the career I’ve had with injuries I’ve had. I’ve been lucky to be at a club like Warrington who've stuck by me.

“I’ve met a lot of great blokes, travelled to a lot of good places and am really thankful for my time at Warrington.

"In an ideal world I would have got to the end of what was my contract in a couple of years time and looked at something to stay at the club then – it’s happened a little bit sooner than I would have liked.

“I’m sad it’s come to an end as a player for now. I would still like to be involved in the club moving forward, on a small scale for next year while I get uni done. Then we’ll see.”