Raiders star Jack Wighton has opened up on his “bittersweet” decision to sign with the Rabbitohs for next season.
Wighton’s four-year deal with South Sydney was confirmed on Wednesday. That same day a hurt Ricky Stuart slammed the “flawed” contracting system in a stunning statement released by Canberra.
In an interview with 7 News, Wighton conceded “it was time for a change,” but is committed to give his “all” to the Raiders for the rest of the season.
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“It’s bittersweet, but I’ve still got the rest of this year to make more great memories,” he said.
“It was time for a change.
“I’ve had 14 years down here so (I will) soak up the times and the moments in the beautiful capital and enjoy it.
“Now everything is sorted, it is business time and we get in the game, have some fun and enjoy this last part of the chapter at the Raiders and make the most of it.
“All the boys know the way I operate and the way I operate is to give my all every time I take the field and leave no stone unturned.”
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Wighton has spent his entire career at the Raiders, playing 225 NRL games and steering them to a grand final appearance in 2019 — in which he won the Clive Churchill Medal in.
He dropped a bomb on the Raiders in March that he would not be taking up the option in his favour for 2024 and would instead go to market.
The Raiders fought hard for the 30-year-old, tabling him a four-year, $4.4 million offer to finish his career in the nation’s capital.
The Dolphins also entered the race for the Kangaroos star, offering $4 million over four years.
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But ultimately Wighton accepted less to join the Rabbitohs.
Wighton was “down the back giving the chooks a bit of a feed” when his phone “started going mad” on Tuesday as the news broke.
“Wayne is an absolute gentleman, I’ve got the utmost respect for Wayne and I didn’t get the chance to let him know before it broke so I got around to doing that,” Wighton said of Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.
