SUPER League Grand Final try-scorer Dec Patton hailed ‘the best fans’ in the league for their immense support following heartache for Wolves on Saturday.

And his performance won praise from his half back partner, former Australian international and New South Wales star Kurt Gidley.

The 21-year-old scrum half sparked hysteria among Wire fans in the Stretford End after crossing the Old Trafford try-line to give the side a half-time lead in the final.

But there was no fairytale ending for the former pupil at Cardinal Newman High and St Gregory’s High schools after scuppered opportunities let Wigan back into the game to snatch a 12-6 victory.

However Patton paid homage to the Warrington faithful for sticking with the players – even after the final hooter.

He said: “I think they are the best fans in the competition – they are unreal.

“The way they turned out today and how they were still singing at the end shows just how much it means to them.

“It does help us a lot when they are there and I just want to say thank you.”

Scoring on the Old Trafford turf was a dream come true for the man who used to ply his trade at Latchford Albion.

But he admits the memory will be a bittersweet one as attention slowly turns to next year’s campaign, with Tony Smith’s side looking to rebuild and bounce back.

Patton said: “It was mind-blowing really, it was pretty satisfying – but we have not ended up with the result.

“Scoring is good but some of the defending the lads did was out of this world.

“I think they did to us what we needed to do to them really, they caught us on the back foot quite a bit and it started going their way and they ended up on top.

“Just to be that close and end up losing like that, all the lads are devastated – no-one can say we didn’t give it a dig, everyone gave it 100 per cent.

“It is hard to take, everyone in the camp is gutted.”

Despite the heartbreak, Patton is confident of keeping up the form which has seen him become a Wolves regular in recent weeks and feels those around him will continue helping him develop.

He added: “To play in the calibre of games I have I am really happy and I think I can take that into next year and take a footstep forward.

“I think a few of us out there were pretty young.

“We have a good mixture and I think we work pretty well together, hopefully building for the future it will stand us in good stead.”

Despite the disappointment of losing Saturday’s Grand Final, Wolves stand-off Kurt Gidley says he was ‘really proud’ of the performance of half-back partner Dec Patton.

After Gidley’s fellow Australian Chris Sandow was included in the squad after injury, the 21-year-old was expected to drop out despite some impressive recent performances.

However Tony Smith kept faith with the former Latchford Albion junior and he rewarded him with a try and another assured display.

“As a teammate and more experienced player, I couldn’t be prouder of him or his performance,” Gidley said.

“I told him that at the jumper presentation, I’ve been so proud of how he has come in.

“It’s tough being a back-up in any position but he’s really taken his opportunity at the back end of the year.

“He has shown that he’s got plenty of talent and the ball is in his court now as to how far he wants to take it.”

The 34-year-old, a veteran of State of Origin and international rugby league, was appearing in his first Grand Final at club level, an experience he says he’ll never forget.

However, he said losing was ‘one of the worst things’ he has experienced to date.

Gidley was forced off the pitch injured at Wembley in August as Wolves also saw a winning position end in gut-wrenching defeat.

“If a win was going to be one of the best things in my life, a loss is probably one of the worst. That’s life unfortunately,” he said.

“It will sink in over the next few days and weeks once I get some time to reflect.

“The atmosphere is something I’ll never forget.

“I’ve had some real highlights throughout my first year here.

“There are some positive things I won’t forget, that’s for sure.”

With the squad now enjoying a break before pre-season starts, Gidley says he will take the opportunity to rest up and process the disappointing end to the campaign.

“I’m just trying to rest at the moment, my body and mind are in shock,” he said.

“I haven’t played the game through my head, I’ve just tried to close my eyes and rest.

“I was expecting to feel sore and exhausted after the game.

“It’s the first Grand Final I’ve played in and I guess that’s what they’re all about.

“There’s things we could have done better but I haven’t processed that yet.

“We put ourselves in a position to win those games and, at the end of the day, we want to win them.

“We’re professional sportsmen and that’s what motivates us.

“I’m going to stay here with my family (in the off-season) and enjoy this part of the world. I think that shows how much we’re enjoying it over here.”