Ollie Partington says he is ‘loving’ his role in the team, as the Red Devils gear-up to face St Helens tomorrow afternoon.
The loose-forward joined Salford in late-2022 and enjoyed a stellar debut season that saw him voted Players’ Player, and Hitman of the Year at the club’s annual awards evening.
He has continued that form into 2024 and – around a minor injury at the start of the campaign – has been a regular fixture in Paul Rowley’s starting thirteen.
Reflecting on our recent form, Partington told our YouTube channel: “Yeah, we’re flying this week. We’ve done some hard work already, so the boys are looking forward to the weekend.”
“Just how together we were,” the 25-year-old responded when asked specifically about Round 14’s victory over Warrington Wolves.
“I think they threw quite a lot at us towards the end and we stayed strong. A few young boys getting their debuts and they were really impressive.”
“I think that’s what I was happy with the most; the debuts, getting the win for them and obviously doing the double over Warrington.”
Making 34 tackles and 59 metres over his 54-minute stint, Partington certainly contributed himself to a memorable victory.
It was another in a long list of high-quality performances from the Wigan-born forward, who admits he is loving his role in the side at present.
“I’m just trying to get better each week,” he began.
“The coaches are still pushing me throughout the week and I need to deliver on the weekend to keep my position.
“I think a lot of players are in the same position, they want to keep that shirt and keep playing well for the team – and keep getting them points.
“I’m loving it; I love the team, love the club and love what we’re doing, so I think the happier the group is, the better we play, so keep everyone happy and we’ll be good come the end of the year.”
Currently sat in fifth place, the Red Devils are in a healthy position with just over half of the Betfred Super League schedule ticked-off.
Partington says, however, that the team will be taking ‘each week as it comes’ with plenty of tough fixtures ahead in the race for a playoff spot.
“Just keep doing what we’re doing – take each week as it comes, he continued, “We’ve got Saints, then a week-off so it’s a good chance to get the two points this weekend and go into that break in a healthy position looking to build towards the back-end of the year.”
Moving on to discuss this weekend’s opposition, Partington knows just what sort of test awaits when the league leaders come to town.
“They’ve got some great individuals and they really try to outwork every team, so we’ll have to be that good. I think everyone will have to be at a eight/nine out of ten, so it’s going to be a real tough game,” he concluded.
Watch out chat with Ollie in full by clicking below.
