The Rabbitohs are reportedly in the box seat to sign Raiders gun Jack Wighton but his recruitment could see several South Sydney players sent packing.
Canberra have tabled a four-year $4.4 million contract to re-sign the 30-year-old, while Bennett’s Dolphins offer is reportedly around the $1 million per-season mark.
Wighton would take a pay cut to join Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs, however the allure of winning a competition could be enough to secure his signature.
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However, the former Dally M Medallist won’t come cheap and up to eight players could be forced out of the Redfern club according to The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield.
If the Rabbitohs make another deep finals run, the value of their players will only increase and put further pressure on the club’s salary cap.
Rothfield explained that players such as Liam Knight, who is without a contract for 2024, could be squeezed out in the club’s bid to sign Wighton.
“This is where I am a little bit concerned about the story, this guy called Liam Knight, you all know the front rower for the Rabbitohs,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“I personally think he is the most inspirational story in the game… he’s overcome alcohol, drug and gambling issues and is about to come back from a very serious knee injury that has kept him out for 12 months.
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“He’s off-contract at the end of the year and he’s on about $500,000, he’s a very good front rower but I’m told if Wighton comes they are going to have to tap Liam and say ‘your time’s up mate’.
“I think that’s the really unfortunate thing about these sort of stories, even Lachlan Ilias the young half… not saying they are going to sack him, but if they are going to play all this money for Wighton it doesn’t mean he going to be locked in the centres.
“So does Cody Walker move to halfback where he virtually plays anyway, he generally takes first pass either side of the ruck. But that would allow Jack to play five-eighth.
“What does it mean for Campbell Graham, he’s on $600,000 now and he’s just about the best centre in the game outside Joey Manu. His manager believes he will be worth $850,000 next contract, with Souths be able to pay him?
“I think it’s got a potentially destabilising affect on the Rabbitohs.”
Rothfield believes Knight, Graham, Ilias and Walker along with Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola, Isaiah Tass and Jai Arrow could all be affected.
As it stands, Rothfield believes the Rabbitohs are the favourites to secure Wighton’s signature with so many elite players in the squad.
“I think at this stage of his career he’s done and won everything, a Clive Churchill Medal, man of the match in Origin, Dally M champion,” Rothfield said.
“I just think he doesn’t want to retire without a ring and where’s the best hope of winning a comp and I think that’s South Sydney.”
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Wighton was also reportedly looking at property in Sans Souci, nearby to where his close mate Mitchell lives.
Souths chief executive Blake Solly played down the potential for Wighton’s recruitment to have a ripple effect on the club’s roster.
He echoed the opinion of head coach Jason Demetriou who said the club won’t make any decisions that have a negative impact on the club’s current roster.
“Our coaching and football department do not get the credit they deserve for their recruitment efforts and development of players,’ Solly said to News Corp.
“A number of our first-grade squad were unwanted by their previous clubs, joined us for an opportunity — and are now playing career best football.
“In Thursday’s squad were Taane Milne (Warriors), Isaiah Tass (Broncos), Michael Chee Kam (Tigers), Jacob Host (Dragons), Hame Sele (Panthers) and Jed Cartwright (Panthers); who were great in the win and have also made a huge contribution in the last few seasons.
“Those players and our coaches never seem to get the wraps they deserve.
“We believe we’re building something special at the club, and want to keep as many of the current squad together for as long as we possibly can.”
