DEC Patton caught the eye on his season’s home debut with some spectacular goal-kicking from the touchline but his boss wants more from him with the ball in his hands.
The 21-year-old replaced influential Australian Kurt Gidley for the second successive week when The Wire overhauled Salford Red Devils 40-14 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday.
Patton, a former Latchford Albion junior, landed five conversions from as many attempts as well as grabbing an opportunist’s try for a 14-point haul.
Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith said: “He did okay, he’s learning his trade.
“Dec needs to take on the opponents more. I don’t think he got tackled too many times. Half backs need to take them on more and be a bit more threatening. He’ll learn.
“It’s tough for him. He’s a young kid who hasn’t had the chance to play a whole lot of rugby. Last year he finished playing in June.
“He needs to keep developing and get some consistent rugby league going. He’s one of the reasons why we’ve created the need for reserve grade, to develop players like him.
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