Raiders star Jack Wighton will test his value on the open market for next season and there’s a concern that could “tarnish” his relationship with coach Ricky Stuart — even if he ends up staying in Canberra.
Wighton has an option in his favour for 2024, however it was revealed on Tuesday that he is going to the open market for the first time since joining the club as a teenager.
It comes after he dodged a question about his future in an interview following the Raiders’ Round 3 win over the Sharks.
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“I’ve been very loyal to this club and they’ve given me nearly everything in life — and I’m always honoured by that. But the future, I just don’t know…” Wighton told Fox League.
NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent reacted to the “staggering” news on Tuesday night.
While he acknowledged the 30-year-old “has the right” to go to market, Kent added: “I just see him as a Canberra guy. Even after he retires you just assume he’s going to stay in Canberra.”
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Riccio believes Wighton’s next deal could be his “most significant” before he retires and suggested the New South Wales Origin star might have been inspired by Eels halfback Mitchell Moses.
“This is probably the most significant contract he will sign before he retires and probably wants to see what he can get on the open market,” he said.
“The developments with Mitch Moses and what he was able to achieve may also be a factor in the way Jack’s thinking with the most bang to buck.”
NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta questioned whether it was more money or a better chance of winning a premiership that’s driving Wighton’s decision.
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Riccio said it was likely more money but revealed he would have been paid handsomely if he took up the option to remain in the nation’s capital.
“The option he had in his favour for next year, it’s significant. It’s close to $1 million,” he said.
The panel pointed out that premiership heavyweights like the Roosters, Storm, Panthers not only have their halves locked in, but also already have a lot of money invested in their spine and wouldn’t have the funds to sign Wighton.
“I totally understand Jack Wighton going to market, I just don’t see where he ends up,” Kent conceded.
Riccio said he’s still “backing the Raiders to keep him,” but Kent questioned whether the decision to go to market has already caused some damage to his relationship with the club.
“Does he tarnish himself there though? Fans don’t see it as within his right, they’ll be annoyed he’s going to market after everything the club has done for him for 14 years,” he said.
Anasta added: “What happens to that relationship (with Stuart)?
“If he is a Raiders legend, who the club has looked after and he’s best mates with the coach but then puts himself on the open market.
“That will impact his relationship with the club and Ricky.”
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Wighton has played 224 NRL games for the Green Machine since his debut in 2012. He has formed a close bond with Stuart over those years and is the face of the club.
That’s why News Corp journalist Paul Crawley is so “shocked” the five-eighth would even entertain the idea of going anywhere else.
“Jack Wighton, in my eyes, Canberra have done everything to keep that guy happy,” Crawley told NRL 360.
“I’m going back to the stage where he was a kid coming through, he had some nervous years when he was developing as a fullback.
“The club stood by him, they helped him through it, they’ve made him into the man he is today, they’ve paid him well all the way through and yes he’s given them great services but I’m shocked that it gets to this stage of his career and he even wants to test the waters.”
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But the reality is that Wighton could end up in another jersey and James Hooper revealed via foxsports.com.au that he has spoken to the Dolphins about the prospect of signing for 2024 and beyond.
Kent suggested that perhaps it was the Dolphins that reached out to Wighton and planted the idea in his head.
“I’ll give you a conspiracy theory that this has been reverse engineered,” he said.
“The Dolphins are still trying to get their marquee man. He’s got until Round 10 until he’s allowed to negotiate.
“I’m not suggesting they would but if someone on behalf of the Dolphins makes a sneaky little call and said ‘we would be interested so don’t go activating that clause because after Round 10 we can talk to you,’ there’s every chance something like could happen in this rugby league world.”
