Raiders open up on Wighton’s shock Rabbitohs move

Alex Mitchell | April 27, 2023

Canberra skipper Elliott Whitehead insists his club can still win an NRL premiership, despite star half Jack Wighton’s impending departure in search of an elusive title.

The first Raiders player to speak publicly since Wighton signed a four-year deal with South Sydney to begin from next season, Whitehead said he respected his teammate’s decision and fully expected him to give his all for the rest of the season.

Wighton took a significantly smaller pay packet to head to the Rabbitohs and join a side that has made five successive preliminary finals.

The World Cup winner said he needed a new challenge after more than a decade of service to the Green Machine.

“It’s purely my doing, I’ve been doing the same loop here for many years and it was time for a change,” Wighton told the Seven Network on Thursday.

“There’s a lot of stories and a lot of stuff going around but it’s purely time for a change for myself and my family.”

Whitehead was adamant that even accounting for Wighton’s departure, the Raiders had the troops to be a premiership contender.

“We’ve got a good enough squad here to win the premiership this year and I feel like we’ll have the squad next year to win it,” Whitehead said. 

“Jacko is a big loss. I respect his decision, it’s a personal one and he thought he needed a change.”

Wighton was disappointed news of his move broke before he had the chance to tell his teammates, Raiders second-rower Hudson Young said.

“That’s the type of bloke Jack is, he’d never shy away from anything like that,” he said.

“He wanted to tell Stick (coach Ricky Stuart) first, (but) once he told Ricky the media had hold of it before any (players) could find out.

“I’m sure there’ll be times where we chat about it but it was his decision for him and his family … he wanted the change, so that’s the path he’s taken.

“But the show will go on. He’s a great mate of mine, I love playing next to him.”

Wighton was subject to racial abuse following the announcement of his move, and shared screenshots of messages he had received on Instagram.

Whitehead described the abuse as “well out of order”, saying he doubted the perpetrators would have the courage to make the comments to Wighton in person. 

“Hopefully the police can get to the bottom of it with the person that sent the comments and not just accept an apology, actually make a statement and give him some kind of punishment” the Canberra skipper said. 

“There’s a lot of abuse on social media and a lot of people like to get on their keyboards and type away, I’m not sure how many would say that to his face.

“(Wighton) has been at this club for so long and done so much for this club.

“To see some fans turn against him because of his decision is a bit sad really, but I’m sure he’s going to give it his all for the rest of the season.”