It has been quite the few months for Declan Patton. At the age of 21, the Warrington half-back has already fulfilled a number of childhood dreams, helping his hometown club win the League Leader’s Shield as well as appearing – and scoring – in a Super League Grand Final last October.
Yet, and perhaps in line with Warrington’s season itself, Patton’s 2017 has been something of a reality check. The mysterious departure of Chris Sandow at the end of last season looked to be Patton’s golden opportunity to earn a regular spot in the team but the signing of Kevin Brown as the Australian’s replacement put paid to that.
Patton has had his chances but he was unceremoniously dropped following a defeat against Salford in the early weeks of the season. “It’s been a real tough few weeks obviously,” he said. “But I know I didn’t start as well as I could have done this year so I understood why I was left out of the side by the coaches.”
Patton’s omission led some, including the former Great Britain half-back Garry Schofield, to suggest the player had been unfairly treated by the Warrington coach, Tony Smith. However an injury to Brown handed Patton an opportunity he has since taken with both hands, helping the Wolves to back-to-back wins, their first victories of the season.
“I know I’m behind Kevin and Kurt [Gidley], who are both internationals and ridiculously talented, and it’s taken an injury to one of them for me to get a chance,” he said.
“But I knew I had to take it and so far I think I have done that. I’m trying not to worry about my personal form, I’m just worrying about the team’s form, and I guess if we keep winning, then we’re all doing OK as a group.
“When you’re at a big club like this one there’s big expectations and there’s big players you are competing with to play every week, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. From my own personal perspective, you’ve got to understand where you are in the team and that there is competition – but I’ll keep plugging away.”
Warrington were the surprise story of the first two months of the new Super League season. The Wolves lost their first five games but Patton’s return to the side has coincided with an upturn in form, with Warrington now on a three-game unbeaten run which includes a 22-all draw with Hull FC.
Their battle to avoid the bottom four continues on Monday with a match against their fellow strugglers Huddersfield and Patton believes the Wolves are starting to come good as the midway point of the regular season approaches.
“We came off a real high last year, getting to every final available as well as finishing top of the league, and while it’s not that anyone thought it would just happen again without trying this year, I just don’t think it clicked in those first few weeks,” he said.
“I can’t put my finger on it: both my own form and the team’s in that first couple of months … It was strange but I think we’re all coming out of the other side now. I’ve been given a chance here and I’ve got to play a pivotal role in turning things around to try and help us get our season back on track. Hopefully I can keep directing things and stay in the team..”
In an era littered with exciting young British talent, Patton is rightly considered to be among the very best. f he continues to play a part in Warrington’s revival with a third successive victory on Monday, his place in the side should be equally indisputable, despite the impending return of Brown.
