Wigan prop Ollie Partington motivated by Grand Final heartache
Wigan prop Ollie Partington is using last year’s Grand Final defeat as a driving factor to go one better this time around.
The 22-year-old helped Wigan win the League Leaders’ Shield last season and played in his first Grand Final as the Warriors fell short to rivals St Helens.
Partington is using that heartache to fuel his ambition of going one better this season to help his hometown club lift the Super League trophy.
He said: “It was a tough one to take that Grand Final and the way it ended was really tough to take for me personally.
“It was my first Grand Final and to go out that way was devastating. It took a while to get over it but I think I’m pretty much over it and I’m ready to get going again with the new season and have it at the forefront of our minds playing.
“It is definitely going to be at the forefront of my mind personally because of how tough the game was and how hard it was to take. It is just going to be a driving factor this season for everyone.
“I don’t think it’s a burden on anyone, I just think it adds fuel to the fire really. Everyone is raring to go and we’ve got one of the best squads we’ve had here for a while and everyone is wanting to get going.”
Partington has made 45 first team appearances since making his debut in 2018 and earned international honours with England Knights in 2019.
The former Orrell St James junior says he would love to make Shaun Wane’s senior squad for the World Cup this autumn – but is just focused on playing well for Wigan for the time being.
He added: “I’d love to get in but it is not something I’m focusing on. I just want to play well for Wigan and win with Wigan so thats at the forefront of my mind.
“I want to win the Grand Final, I want to win trophies with Wigan and if that means I get the call (for England) whenever that is, then I’d love it.”
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