Jack Wighton has opened up on the “confronting” second his time as a Raider got here to an finish and his want to show folks flawed as he prepares for his first season on the Rabbitohs.
The 30-year-old additionally confirmed what place he’ll play and when he’ll make his membership debut amid confusion round his four-game suspension.
Two months into his new chapter, Wighton sat down with foxsports.com.au for his first interview as a Rabbitoh.
He summed up the final yr as a “rollercoaster” and mirrored on his shock resolution to depart the Raiders.
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“Just sitting here is a crazy feeling. I can’t really explain it. There’s so much that happened and so quick. It was a full on year,” Wighton stated on the Rabbitohs’ headquarters in Maroubra.
Wighton dropped two bombshells within the area of eight days final April.
The first was his retirement from consultant soccer after 10 video games for New South Wales. The second was knocking again a four-year, $4.4 million extension with the Raiders to signal a four-year take care of the Rabbitohs.
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When requested if he’d ever rethink the retirement resolution Wighton left the door barely ajar, saying “we’ll have to see.”
But as for his new journey within the huge metropolis and donning the well-known cardinal and myrtle, Wighton is all in.
He walked away from familiarity in Canberra to chase a change he believes he wanted. Even if it means residing in Sydney — one thing he thought he’d by no means do.
Some criticised his resolution, others questioned it. And that’s precisely what’s fuelling Wighton this yr.
“I love proving people wrong — that gets me out of bed. I live every day with that feeling.”
THE DECISION
Wighton’s resolution to not re-sign with the Raiders stung coach Ricky Stuart. The membership launched a press release to substantiate their star five-eighth’s departure final yr which included poignant quotes from him.
“I know it would have been hard for you, our Raiders fans, because I know what the feeling was like for me, to see an image of Jack in a Souths jersey (digitally altered) on the back page of a Sydney paper today,” it learn.
Wighton knew his “massive” name to exit a membership he had spent 14 years with was going to ruffle some feathers however he was merely drawn to the Rabbitohs.
“It was one of those ones that I can’t really explain,” he stated.
“I’ve got a lot of love for where I was and the people there so to make a change it was just a personal thing. I really needed a change in my life and for my family at the time so we ended up biting the bullet.
“I went and had a meeting with Souths, I met with ‘JD’ (Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou) and (CEO) Blake Solly and I just saw that they cared.
“They’re a family orientated club, they care about they’re players and I thought if I am going to make the plunge this is the club I want to do it at.
“I said I’d never live in Sydney but this is the team that made me do it.
“Me and my wife both said we’re big on our family and we felt the family vibes straight away.
“It helps that I’ve played with a few of the boys in rep teams and I’ve got a good understanding of how they run and operate their lives. I like the way they roll so that helped too.”
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CENTRE STAGE FOR RABBITOHS DEBUT
The greatest query about Wighton’s signing has been about how he suits into the Rabbitohs’ 17.
He received a Dally M medal as a five-eighth however Cody Walker owns the Bunnies’ No.6 jersey.
Wighton confirmed that he’ll play left centre.
“I’ve been training at left centre. We’re just getting some reps in there, that’s where we’re looking to start so (I’ll) hopefully try and secure a spot there,” he stated.
South Sydney followers should wait till Round 3 for Wighton’s debut although. Not solely has he picked up a calf harm that’s dominated him out of the Pre-season Challenge, however he has a four-game suspension for biting in Raiders’ loss to the Knights in week one of many finals final season.
Wighton confirmed the Indigenous vs Maori All Stars conflict will rely in direction of his suspension, which means he’ll run out in a Rabbitohs jumper for the primary time in an epic Round 3 conflict with arch rivals the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Ironically, even when he didn’t have a suspension to serve Wighton would’ve nonetheless been racing the clock to be match for Round 1.
“(The calf) is feeling good. I’m still in rehab at the moment so just trying to tick all the boxes so I can get back into the full swing by Round 3 when I’m needed,” he stated.
“I was (going to be able to play in trials) but with my calf it’ll be Round 3 — that’s the starting point. Everything happens for a reason.”
Centre is nothing new for Wighton. He’s performed 23 video games there at membership stage and 11 consultant video games too.
But the plan for him to spend a complete season there’s something totally different.
He’s wanting ahead to combining with two of the Rabbitohs’ greatest stars and can delight himself on his work price.
“I guess just trying to master the craft, just bring energy to the team and the little things I can do,” Wighton stated when requested what excites him in regards to the positional shift.
“And I get to play outside Cody and Latrell (Mitchell) so I’m excited about that.
“Starting our sets and finishing our sets (is what I hope to do),” he added.
“Bringing the ball out of our own end and helping our boys get that roll on that our middles and players like Latrell, Cody and ‘Cooky’ (Damien Cook) need. Then also finishing our sets, being the first one down there, trying to change the tide in defence too.
Wighton’s arrival does however have major implications on Isaiah Tass, who found a home at left centre last season.
Tass comes off contract at the end of this season. It’s understood he’s spent some time training in the second row but is keeping the pressure on Wighton too.
“Of course (he’s keeping me on my toes). He’s a great player and an even better bloke,” Wighton stated.
“I think that’s the great thing about the situation we’re in, it’s so competitive, you have to work for your spot and you’re never safe.
“He’s been unreal this pre-season and you can see how much he’s growing day by day.”
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PACKING UP 14 YEARS IN A PLASTIC BAG
14 years is a very long time.
Wighton first joined the Green Machine as a young person to play of their underneath 20s aspect. He was rapidly promoted to the full-time squad and made his NRL debut in 2012.
He performed 242 first grade video games — the sixth most within the membership’s historical past. He skilled highs like taking part in within the 2019 Grand Final and profitable the 2020 Dally M throughout his time as a Raider. But additionally had some lows like dropping that grand ultimate and a few off-field incidents.
His time on the membership wrapped up fairly rapidly although when the Raiders had been knocked out within the first week of finals final season.
When requested if he was disenchanted the way it all ended, Wighton stated: “It depends how you look at it. It’s got to come to an end one way or another. We gave our best and it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m all right (with it).”
There was no farewell get together, however he went backwards and forwards between Canberra and Sydney for some time given his spouse stayed behind when he first made the transfer. The pair additionally acquired married within the nation’s capital in November with a number of of Wighton’s former teammates in attendance.
There was nonetheless one second when it actually hit residence that he was leaving — packing up his locker.
“It was a very weird feeling,” Wighton stated.
“I still remember me and ‘Crokes’ (retiree Jarrod Croker) walked in and you’ve just got a black plastic bag sitting there.
“You chuck all your gear in there and that’s all she wrote.
“It was a very weird feeling, a little bit confronting, but it is what it is. I made my bed, I have to lay in it. I enjoyed every minute down there but have new adventures now.
“You’re just there to grab your belongings. It’s weird, all those years and it fits into a black garbage bag.”
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LIFE AS A BUNNY
Wighton has thrown himself into his new life. He lives close by the Rabbitohs’ coaching services and has rapidly turn into a well-liked member of the squad.
“It’s been great. I wanted the change and change is what I’m getting,” he stated.
“We went from living a little bit in the sticks down in Canberra to being surrounded by four or five beaches. The kids are really enjoying it and my wife too.
“Training has been great, the boys have been very welcoming. It’s good to have some new faces and new voices around.”
Rabbitohs followers have welcomed him with open arms too. He’s been stopped a number of occasions on the street for a chat or picture.
“They’re very loyal. You can tell how passionate they are and how much they care about the club,” Wighton stated of the followers.
Wighton boasts a formidable resume. Having represented each his state and nation he’s one of many sport’s elite gamers. But getting into a brand new membership had him rattled.
When requested if he was nervous earlier than his first day at coaching Wighton stated: “Big time.”
“My first day I can definitely say I was nervous but very excited. I’ve been a part of teams my whole life but coming into something that’s a new adventure and new surroundings was a cool and nervous feeling,” he added.
Why? Because it was essential to him to make first impression.
“Take the whole position (change) part out of it, it’s about building trust from your new teammates,” Wighton stated.
“You’re coming to a club they’ve been at for a long time so it’s all about building trust from your new teammates, working hard and showing them you’re there for the right reasons.
“So if you do get lucky enough to take the field with them, they know you’re there for the good reasons and you’ll do the job for them.
“It’s been an awesome experience coming in somewhere new and earning your stripes again.”
Wighton stated any preconceived concept that he’d stroll right into a spot within the Rabbitohs’ beginning aspect was “silly” and added “I never have and never would.”
“Even in Canberra all those years you’re always thinking about the young kids coming through and you’ve always got to earn your stripes,” he stated.
“Even if you do have a spot in the team you’ve still got to work hard to maintain it. It’s a long year and anything can happen.
“We’ve got some healthy competition here and that’s keeping everyone on their toes and accountable.”
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EXPECTATIONS
Wighton was one in all, if not the most important switch forward of the 2024 season. There’ll be a number of eyes on him when he performs his first sport.
He blocks out what he stated is “just outside noise” however acknowledged there’s strain that comes with taking part in such a proud and historic membership.
“I’m trying not to think too much into it, I’m just enjoying the process,” he stated.
“It’s a first (changing clubs) so I’m just soaking everything up and taking one day at a time with training. I’ll do the same approach once we get to games.
“I’m going to have my highs and lows as you do every year so just enjoy every bit of it.
“It’s a different beast up here though, that’s one thing I’ve noticed. They’re a big, powerful club and with that comes different kind of pressures.
“There’s a lot more focus on the club because of its stature but that’s all part of the game.”
Wighton hasn’t set the bar too excessive for his first season with South Sydney. A premiership is in fact each participant’s purpose however he’s prepared to play the lengthy sport.
“I just want to put my best foot forward for the boys, build their trust and hopefully in some ways my experience can pay off in areas,” he stated.
“I just want to have a red-hot start and get into it.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
