Raiders star Jack Wighton will check his worth on the open marketplace for subsequent season and there’s a priority that would “tarnish” his relationship with coach Ricky Stuart — even when he finally ends up staying in Canberra.
Wighton has an possibility in his favour for 2024, nonetheless it was revealed on Tuesday that he’s going to the open marketplace for the primary time since becoming a member of the membership as a young person.
It comes after he dodged a query 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 advised Fox League.
NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent reacted to the “staggering” news on Tuesday night time.
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 subsequent deal could possibly be his “most significant” earlier than he retires and advised the New South Wales Origin star might need been impressed 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 mentioned.
“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 or not it was extra money or a greater likelihood of profitable a premiership that’s driving Wighton’s resolution.
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Riccio mentioned it was possible extra money however revealed he would have been paid handsomely if he took up the choice to stay within the nation’s capital.
“The option he had in his favour for next year, it’s significant. It’s close to $1 million,” he mentioned.
The panel identified that premiership heavyweights just like the Roosters, Storm, Panthers not solely have their halves locked in, but additionally have already got some huge cash invested of their backbone and wouldn’t have the funds to signal Wighton.
“I totally understand Jack Wighton going to market, I just don’t see where he ends up,” Kent conceded.
Riccio mentioned he’s nonetheless “backing the Raiders to keep him,” however Kent questioned whether or not the choice to go to market has already precipitated some harm to his relationship with the membership.
“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 mentioned.
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 performed 224 NRL video games for the Green Machine since his debut in 2012. He has fashioned an in depth bond with Stuart over these years and is the face of the membership.
That’s why News Corp journalist Paul Crawley is so “shocked” the five-eighth would even entertain the thought of going anyplace else.
“Jack Wighton, in my eyes, Canberra have done everything to keep that guy happy,” Crawley advised 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 fact is that Wighton might find yourself in one other jersey and James Hooper revealed through foxsports.com.au that he has spoken to the Dolphins concerning the prospect of signing for 2024 and past.
Kent advised that maybe it was the Dolphins that reached out to Wighton and planted the thought in his head.
“I’ll give you a conspiracy theory that this has been reverse engineered,” he mentioned.
“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.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
