Jack Wighton’s family tried to sway him, and Latrell Mitchell sprayed him. But Brad Fittler and Wighton’s former NSW teammates have known for the best part of a year he was ready to walk away from representative football.
Wighton rubbished suggestions that being brushed for last year’s series decider had anything to do with his decision, thanking Fittler for “changing my life” when he handed him a 2019 debut and another nine NSW appearances.
Fittler empathised with the 30-year-old, who also hopes to make a call on his NRL future in the next fortnight. The Blues coach initially retired from playing Origin in 2001. He went on to play another three years for the Roosters, winning a premiership and enjoying a fairytale Blues return in the process.
“I’ve been aware for a long time, late last year it first came up with Jack and then I’ve known really since the start of the season,” Fittler told the Herald, adding he didn’t try to talk Wighton around given he had been considering representative retirement for so long.
“So it was no surprise at all. He’s got a young family, he’s got things going on with his contract and he’s never won a grand final.
“I made a similar decision when I was around his age.I was pretty happy with how that worked out and was grateful to get the [Origin] shot in 2004.
“Jack’s so wholehearted and I love that about him. He threw everything he had at Origin and we’ll miss him, but we’ll march forward.”
Wighton said he first raised the prospect of giving up Origin and Test duties – as well as match payments that can exceed well over $100,000 a year – with Blues teammates after last year’s series defeat.
Great mate Mitchell was among them, but Wighton said the Rabbitohs star hadn’t taken him seriously. Family members also tried to talk him into making himself available this year.
“Ask the majority of the boys in the team, after last year’s series I made it obvious that that was the plan,” Wighton said.
“I ran it by Latrell and a few of the boys. He still messaged me today, he thought I had been lying. He got up me for telling fibs.
“I still feel like I can play at that level, I think I’m still in my prime and I had family chatting to me about [changing his decision], but I’m very content. I wanted to rally hard for an Australian spot, I achieved that and I got to come home with a World Cup.
“I’m really proud of my representative career and it’s something that can never be taken away. It’s just I felt that it was time for me to focus on my club footy and try to win a premiership.”
He also thanked Fittler for backing him for his Blues debut after assault charges during a night out in Canberra had the Raiders ready to sack him a year earlier. Wighton pleaded guilty to six charges in the ACT Magistrates Court in 2018. Wighton was given a suspended two-month sentence and a $3500 fine.
“I’ve got all the love in the world for Freddie,” he said.
Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton in Origin colours in 2021.
“I was 25 with no rep stats and it was a dream to play for NSW. I came back and redeemed myself, got to play some good footy. He took the gamble when everyone else was telling him not to.
“Then I threw that intercept ball in Origin I and he picked me again and trusted me. It changed my life and I’ve been able to play 10 games.”
Wighton hopes his decision will prolong his club career. A call on whether he takes up a $4 million-plus, four-year Raiders extension, or looks elsewhere in 2024, will come in the next two weeks.
The Dolphins have led interest in Wighton since he decided to test the market, having played his entire 12-year career in the nation’s capital.
“I’m talking with my family and my management and I’ve got too much respect for my teammates to keep that going, whatever the decision is, it’ll be as soon as possible and in the near future,” Wighton said, preferring not to comment on negotiation specifics.
“[A premiership] is high on the list, but it’s not the be all and end all. Whatever choice I make, it’ll be for my family.”
