Salford ace Oli Partington targeting Grand Final as forward prepares for Catalans fire

Salford Red Devils star Oli Partington wants to hammer a nail in the title hopes of his future employers. The combative loose forward has signed a two-year deal with Catalans from 2025.

He’s desperate to sign off by helping Red Devils reach Old Trafford. But both sides need a win this Saturday evening to realistically stay in the play-offs hunt, especially Catalans, who fell out of the top-six for the first time last week.

Ex-Wigan ace Partington, 26, admitted: “It’s our biggest game of the year - without a doubt. They are in a similar position to us and need to win to make the play-offs. I’m not thinking about Catalans yet. I just want to win with Salford.

“I’m sure I’ll be on their list of who they’ll try to get at. They’ll definitely be coming for me. It will be a tough game. Catalans are another team who are physical and I feel I play better in these sorts of games. I don’t like all that flash stuff!”

Partington will be up against Catalans talisman and France captain Ben Garcia, one of Super League’s finest loose forwards. Asked if he was looking forward to facing him, he replied: “Not really because he’s a tough player and has been for the past few years!

“When they’re doing well, he’s always up there in the man-of–the-match running. He’s a future team-mate and it will be good to go up against him and play with him next year but I’m just focused on Salford now.

“I’d love nothing more than getting Salford to Old Trafford and giving these great fans something to shout about. We’ll see what the next few weeks bring. We were very disappointed with how last week went and the manner in which we lost [32-12].

“Full credit to Hull KR: they had our number from minute one. But we’ve trained hard and are looking to put it right against Catalans.”

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