Prop Partington planning to make a Grand stand

The prop has cemented a regular place in the Wigan side this season which is no small feat, given the competition for places.

And now he is hoping to crown a strong year for himself personally with a derby against Saints tomorrow night.

Having helped Wigan to the League Leaders’ Shield, Partington is determined to go one better and secure a Grand Final win – even if it is behind-closed-doors at Hull’s KCOM Stadium.

“It will be strange not having fans there, and not having family and friends,” said the ex-Orrell St James junior, who was weaned on the Wigan-Saints derbies.

“The no crowds is the bigger one than where it’s at – if I get a ring, I get a ring.

“It could be played at Robin Park, it wouldn’t make a difference. It’s a Grand Final at the end of the day.

“It’s just a shame for the fans, they won’t be able to watch Lockers’ last game.”

Sean O’Loughlin’s retirement has inevitably been a focal point of Wigan’s build-up to this title-decider.

And for players like Partington and Morgan Smithies, they have a debt of gratitude to the skipper who helped coach them when they were progressing through the scholarship and academy sides.

“It’s my first final and Lockers’ last one, so it’ll be special,” said Partington. “He coached me in the scholarship and also in the Under-19s, and even though we’re now team-mates it’s like having a coach on the field to be honest.

“He’s so influential on this side and it’s great that he gets to go out with a Wigan-Saints final.

“James Graham is obviously retiring too and he has been a legend of the game and it’s good those two get to go out like that, though obviously I’m hoping we come out with the win.

“The last derby we had was the best game I’ve played in since I’ve been in the first team. The harder they are, the better they are when you win.”

Partington has fended off intense competition for places this year, and a reflection of his credentials and progress is the fact he is likely to play ahead of off-season recruits Mitch Clark and George Burgess.

The 22-year-old’s energy and aggression have come to the fore in their Grand Final charge, which has seen them not lose a game since they crashed out of the Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage.

“We do speak about the Leeds game and we were embarrassed and that was a big turning point for us, it’s fueled us since to be honest,” added Partington.

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