Jack Wighton reportedly signs with Souths, Raiders file formal complaint

The NRL’s worst kept secret has been confirmed after Jack Wighton made his call but the Raiders aren’t going down quietly.

Jack Wighton has reportedly made his call. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The worst kept secret in rugby league has finally been revealed with reports Jack Wighton is heading to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Since it was mentioned the Rabbitohs had joined the hunt for Wighton, it appeared almost certain the Raiders star would be heading Redfern way.

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But Nine’s Danny Weidler revealed Wighton had finally made the decision and would join Souths.

While the Raiders offered Wighton $4.4m over four seasons and the Dolphins reportedly offered around $4m over four years.

But Wighton is set to sacrifice some of the money for a potential premiership, reportedly taking $850,000 to $900,000 to pull on the cardinal and myrtle.

“I thought it was inevitable when he started talking about winning a premiership,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox Sports.

Corey Parker called it a “huge coup” to nab Wighton’s signature.

Wighton has reportedly told his teammates of his decision.

However, the Raiders aren’t going to admit loss without a fight.

Newscorp reported that the Raiders had lodged a formal complain with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

The Raiders famously lodged their $4.4m offer to Wighton with the NRL in case Wighton took a lot less money.

Abdo has confirmed that Wighton’s deal would be investigated.

“The salary cap auditor will review the contract and test market value,” he said.

“We haven’t received anything yet (from South Sydney).”

Wighton’s future is reportedly sealed. Picture: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

It’s unsure where Wighton will play for the Rabbitohs but it’s expected he will slot into the left centre position, which puts Isaiah Tass’ career at South Sydney in doubt.

But it has also been suggested that Wighton could play five-eighth with Cody Walker shifting to halfback, which would place questions over Lachlan Ilias’ future with the club.

However, The Australian also reported Wighton will play in the centres on $750,000 in the first two years of his deal, before being upgraded in 2026 and 2027, at which time Damien Cook and/or Cody Walker may have retired.

Wighton is close friends with Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.

However, the move has raised plenty of questions as despite Wighton seemingly taking a reduced deal, it would take up a lot of salary cap for only a few players.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield suggested up to eight off-contract Rabbitohs stars could be forced to look elsewhere.

Souths boss Blake Solly and coach Jason Demetriou have played down the impact of signing Wighton.

“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.”

South Sydney have yet to officially announce the news but are expected to confirm the news in the coming days.

Originally published as Jack Wighton reportedly signs with Souths, Raiders file formal complaint