Demetriou slams ‘agenda-driven’ Wighton deal criticism

Jasper Bruce | April 27, 2023

Coach Jason Demetriou is confident the NRL’s review into Jack Wighton’s newly inked South Sydney contract will reveal nothing untoward, slamming “agenda-driven” critiques of the cut-price deal.

On Wednesday, the 2020 Dally M Medallist officially signed a four-year contract to join the Rabbitohs from next season, just under a month after telling Canberra he would test the open market for the first time since signing as a teenager.

The allure of a premiership ring and the chance to play alongside close friends Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker are believed to have swayed Wighton from more lucrative deals at the Dolphins and Raiders, both of whom offered seven-figure salaries.

The Rabbitohs’ ability to afford Wighton has come under scrutiny given big-name players Mitchell, Walker, Cameron Murray and Damien Cook are all on the books already.

The NRL prohibits back-ended contracts – those that pay less at the beginning of the deal to squeeze a player under an already tight salary cap – and the Raiders have already called for the NRL to probe the Rabbitohs offer to ensure it fits within league guidelines.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told AAP on Wednesday the contract would be reviewed as is standard practice but Demetriou was confident no issues would be found.

“It’s a circus with agenda-driven people saying things that they have no information about,” he said of the punditry.

“The reality is we’re comfortable with it, we’ll go to the NRL. Jack’s comfortable, it’s all above board so we’ve got no problems.”

Across 225 first-grade games, Wighton has become the face of the Raiders and his imminent departure has left the club reeling.

In a lengthy statement released Wednesday, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart took aim at the NRL’s contract system for allowing players to sign deals with rival clubs well in advance of their first season there.

As it stands players are free to test the open market from the November prior to the last year of their contract, a system that has long proven unpopular over fears players could become distracted by their impending moves.

The Rabbitohs found themselves in a similar situation to the Raiders in mid-2021 when veteran halfback Adam Reynolds rejected a short-term contract extension to sign with Brisbane for 2022.

“I understand that it’s tough when a player’s having to do this in-season,” Demetriou said of Stuart’s grievances.

“That’s not ideal, we went through it with Adam as well and he made the decision to go and he was outstanding for the rest of the year as I’m sure Jack will be.”

Calls to implement a post-season contract window have historically been met with resistance from the Rugby League Players Association on the ground players require time to make decisions about their future.

But Demetriou said he would be open to reforming the current system.

“I’d have to get more information and find out how it works,” he said.

“But everyone knows it’s not ideal that players are signing contracts with this long to go before the season when they’re at their current clubs.”

Wighton’s impending move from the Raiders left him on the receiving end of racist social media comments this week, with the Wiradjuri man calling his abuser out on Instagram on Wednesday night.

Demetriou believed Wighton’s commitment to the Raiders should not be questioned, and not in such a manner. 

“He loves representing the club and loves playing with his mates,” he said.

“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be ripping in for Ricky and the Raiders. Hopefully they can have a good season and Jack can leave on good terms.”