BRYSON Goodwin has backed Steve Price to lead Warrington Wolves to a much-improved Super League finish next year.

While they may have lifted the Challenge Cup last month, The Wire’s league campaign ended with a whimper last night as they were beaten by Castleford Tigers in an elimination play-off.

For Goodwin, who will rejoin former club South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL for next season, it means the chance of an Old Trafford finale to his Wire career has gone up in smoke.

Indeed, the centre’s final act in a Wire shirt was to be sin-binned in the game’s final seconds after a ball he kicked hit referee Chris Kendall.

“It’s very disappointing and not the way I would have wanted to leave,” the New Zealand international said.

“We’re a better team than what we’ve displayed in the past eight weeks or so. It’s hard to put our finger on.

“Everyone is very deflated – the boys are really upset because we know we’re better than what happened.

“Good luck to Castleford and the rest of the teams that are left. We have to sit back and watch which will be hard.

“The boys will be fine – Pricey will put them on the right track and they will have a successful season next year.

“We’ve been to two Challenge Cup Finals and a Grand Final with him, albeit we’ve bowed out in disappointing fashion this year.

“He’s definitely the right person to take the team forward.”

Having made the move to England ahead of the 2018 season, Goodwin is now preparing to move his family – wife Jess, sons Drea and Remy and daughter Tully – back to their native Australia.

Warrington Guardian:

Goodwin walks out before the Castleford game with sons Drea and Remy and daughter Tully. Picture by Mike Boden

However, the 33-year-old insists Warrington has not seen the last of him.

“I’ve had the best time ever over here. Me and my family really love the place,” he said.

“I wish I’d have come over earlier in my career, then we’d have got to spend a few more years here but it is what it is. The time we’ve had here has been unbelievable.

“I’ll be back in December for Stef Ratchford’s wedding for sure. Beyond that, I’m sure we will be back at some point.

“I’ll always be a fan now – I’ll be watching them on the TV and going for them.

“I’ve made some lifelong friends at this club and I will always feel part of the place.

“The club has treated me so well and I can’t thank them enough.”