The Raiders are staring down the barrell of life without Jack Wighton after the marquee superstar reportedly signed with the Rabbitohs for 2024.
The 30-year-old has sacrificed $1 million to join South Sydney, shunning the Raiders’ $4.4 million offer and the Dolphins $4 million contract.
Instead Wighton will link up with close friends Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, hoping to win an elusive premiership in Redfern.
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Will Wighton shake up Souths side? | 02:43
Wighton has been Canberra’s marquee player for several years, playing 225 games for the green machine and winning the Dally M and a Clive Churchill Medal under Stuart.
Following his decision, Raiders powerbrokers reportedly lodged a formal complaint to the NRL, with chief executive Andrew Abdo confirming the deal will be looked at.
Now Stuart and the Raiders have a gaping hole at five-eighth next season, with only three playmakers in their current squad — Jamal Fogarty, Brad Schneider and Matt Frawley.
However, the Canberra club also have $4.4 million war chest ready to spend and will be desperate to make signings now for the 2024 season.
The Raiders’ recruitment issues have been well documented throughout their short history — but with cap space to burn, Stuart could look to improve his squad as whole.
The experienced coach could spread those funds out, signing a playmaker, outside back or a forward in a bid to strengthen the team from the nation’s capital.
Here’s the off-contract players the Raiders could target for 2024!
LEWIS DODD
While Lewis Dodd isn’t a household name in Australia, the young halfback is making waves in the Super League. The 21-year-old playmaker delivered during the World Club Challenge to down the NRL’s back-to-back champions in pre-season with a matchwinning field goal. The Raiders have a strong history of recruiting English talent and could again look to secure an international star to play in the halves. According to LoveRugbyLeague, Dodd has also recently signed with a leading NRL agent and is contracted until the end of 2024. But like the Tigers did to recruit John Bateman, the Raiders would have to pay a transfer fee to secure his services early.
TEIG WILTON
Teig Wilton took over Wade Graham’s starting left edge spot this season and hasn’t skipped a beat. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Rabbitohs due to his uncle, John Morris, being assistant coach. In 2023 the gun backrower has scored twice and is averaging 110 running metres per game with a total of 10 offloads. Wilton could be the perfect replacement for 33-year-old Elliott Whitehead, whose contract expires at the end of 2024.
KAEO WEEKES
Kaeo Weekes has found a home as Manly’s bench utility, starting one game at five-eighth so far this season. The 21-year-old was electric in the pre-season challenge and is blocked by both Josh Schuster and Tom Trbojevic at the Sea Eagles. The young gun is widely regarding as an NRL star in the making and could be the perfect foil for Jamal Fogarty’s calm and collected style at halfback. However, Manly powerbrokers will likely do what they can to keep their rising talent.
JAYDEN SULLIVAN
Jayden Sullivan started the season at five-eighth for the Dragons but has been forced out of the side since Junior Amone’s return. The 21-year-old withdrew a release request in the off-season, instead happy to learn from star halfback Ben Hunt. However, as time rolls by Sullivan will be desperate for regular first grade and he could excel alongside Fogarty with his run-first mentality. Sullivan also delivered four try assists over the weekend in NSW Cup to put on a clinic against axed Rooster Sam Walker. While Sullivan is contracted until the end of 2025, the young gun isn’t afraid to make a statement and could agains look for the exit.
LUKE BROOKS
It feels like every time a list of potential targets is built Brooks’ name is on it. But could this finally be the time the half splits with the Tigers? An exit could be the spark Brooks needs to reignite his career, and Stuart could be just the man to instil confidence back in the 196-gamer. Brooks has played at both halfback and five-eighth in recent years, but his running game is his clear strength. Alongside, Fogarty, who is a strong organisational halfback, Brooks could have a run-first mentality and excel in the nation’s capital. The Raiders would be able to get the maligned half for significantly less than his current $1 million deal allowing Stuart to spend the remainder of the Wighton money elsewhere.
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KURT MANN
Kurt Mann is without a contract for 2024 and has been one of Newcastle’s quiet achievers in 2023. Filling in at lock and at hooker in the absence of Adam Elliott and Jayden Brailey, the 30-year-old has been solid, recording 27.8 tackles per game while only averaging 46 minutes. Mann would likely play as a utility, but Stuart might not be looking for another bench player with three hookers — Tom Starling, Danny Levi and Zac Woolford — already in his squad.
SCOTT SORENSEN
Scott Sorensen has become a cult-hero at the foot of the mountain, winning two premierships across his 49 games for the Panthers. The 30-year-old is in his prime after two separate stints with the Sharks and Raiders, being used as a starting back rower by coach Ivan Cleary. While he may be unlikely to depart Penrith, Sorensen could be a cheap replacement for Whitehead if offered regular starting football, meaning Canberra could also recruit another player with the remaining funds.
DEAN HAWKINS
Dean Hawkins is a left-field option in the halves, but has proven a solid replacement when filling in for the Rabbitohs. The 24-year-old has played only four NRL games and only one in 2022, but is another cut-price option to compete for the vacant No.6 jersey. Stuart could then sign a big-name player to fill another position.
ROYCE HUNT
Corey Horsburgh and Royce Hunt teammates? Unlikely but it would be an entertaining watch. Hunt’s current contract expires at the end of 2024 and NRL clubs are always on the lookout for impact forwards. The 27-year-old has previously featured once for the Raiders in 2017 before fighting his way back into first grade in Cronulla. Hunt has played 41 games for the Sharks and could be a cut-price prop to shadow Josh Papalii whose current contract expires at the end of 2024.
CONNOR WATSON
Connor Watson is yet to take the field in 2023, sidelined with a patella tendon injury. However, the gun utility could be the perfect man to make a move to the nation’s capital for regular starting time. Stuart has utilised several players in the No.13 jersey, and Watson could make it his own with the strength of a middle forward and the hands of a playmaker. The 26-year-old is without a contract for 2024 and with 125 games of NRL experience, he could be a good fit for the Raiders.
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NATHAN BROWN
The Roosters took a punt on former Eels forward Nathan Brown, signing him in a mid-year switch in 2023. While he is yet to take the field, rugby league fans know the quality of the firey lock. The 30-year-old could make Canberra’s No.13 jersey his own for several years, currently sitting without a contract for 2024. Brown was also frozen out of the Parramatta club and has a point to prove. He could be looking for regular starting minutes and Ricky could throw him a lifeline.
SHAUN JOHNSON
The Warriors playmaker has enjoyed a resurgence under Andrew Webster. The 32-year-old has been central to his side’s strong start to the season but remains without a deal for 2024. While it’s unlikely Johnson will want to switch to the nation’s capital, Ricky Stuart has plenty of cash up his sleeve to try and tempt him. It would allow Johnson to nurture the likes of Brad Schneider.
DAINE LAURIE
Daine Laurie has lost his place as the Tigers starting fullback and will be gunning for a spot on the bench after a strong NSW Cup display at five-eighth. However, that performance won’t just boost his selection chances, it shows other teams that the 23-year-old has the ability to play in the halves. Laurie is without a contract for 2024 and with Jahream Bula’s emergence, he faces a battle to reclaim the regular fullback slot. Instead Laurie may opt to depart Leichhardt and look for a new challenge in the halves, potentially in the nation’s capital alongside Fogarty.
