Jack Wighton signed a contract to stay away from Canberra CBD

So many footballers promise this scandal will be the last but only end up with excuses. Not Jack Wighton, who wanted a contract to stay out of Canberra CBD, avoid trouble and use his NRL fame for something worthwhile.

How Jack Wighton got his life back on track.

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Plenty of footballers have promised change. Seated inside the NRL’s last chance saloon, they vow this is it, no more slip-ups.

For some they’re really just words to convince themselves that the drama, the scandal, the police charge or the suspension was out of character. Or, that’s not me. It’s his fault, her fault. Anyone but mine.

Then there’s NSW debutant Jack Wighton.

Late last year, a few days after escaping a jail term, Wighton called Canberra Raiders football manager Matt Ford.

Instead of words, Wighton asked for a piece of paper, something legible; a contract to change.

It gives the Raiders the power to rip up his $500,000-plus contract at any time.

No red-tape, no defence, no appeal, no questions asked.

Jack Wighton accepted that his life had to change. Image: Tim Hunter.

“I went and saw Matt Ford and he said, ‘Are you sure that’s what you want?’,’’ Wighton told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I got myself officially barred from the city region of Canberra. I signed an agreement just so I’ve got no temptation to go in there (city).

“If they (Canberra) catch me in a club in the Civic area, my contract is terminated. It’s over.

“Straight after court I did that. I had to.

“I can have a nice dinner with my partner, but as for anything bigger than that, now it’s black and white. That’s the way I want it.

“I just thought it was time. It was too close of a near-miss to not make a change.

“It’s working well for me at the moment, footy is going good, so there’s a good chance I’ll just keep doing the same thing.’’

LISTEN! Matty, Kenty and Finchy dissect both Origin teams and a game looming as a classic, recount the best of Tommy Raudonikis and Matty recalls Mitchell Pearce’s sleepover at the Johns household.

Wighton had avoided time behind bars after pleading guilty to several charges, including assault, during an alcohol-fuelled attack in Canberra’s city centre in February, 2018.

It’s a night the Canberra Raiders’ star five-eighth and Origin rookie calls a “daunting near miss.”

In those few days after avoiding the lockup, Wighton whimpered into his hands under a shower head, aware that the tears wouldn’t last, but accountability could.

Not wanting to show partner Monisha and his two baby daughters, Aaliyah, 4, and Ariah, 1, that their father was hurting, Wighton let the water wash over his head — which for the past seven months had wrestled with guilt and regret.

CCTV vision of his fight was confronting viewing for Wighton.

“I had two choices. I could keep rolling down the wrong way or fix things up for my family,’’ Wighton said.

“Footy is the best way I can to try and support my family — which is everything to me.

“That’s my life. That’s my job as a partner and father to give them the best.

“And knowing that I could let them down and not give them the best, was a feeling I don’t want to experience again.’’

Wighton is desperate to move on from the most tumultuous period of his life. And so he should.

Clearly, his first sky-blue jersey is reward for his smooth move to five-eighth for Canberra this season — and so too his proven worth as a top-class utility who can play fullback, wing, centre or backrow.

But don’t think that NSW coach Brad Fittler hasn’t done homework on the off-field commitments of his players too.

The Raiders star took responsibility for his actions and his payback. Image: Kym Smith

On top of Wighton’s 12-month suspended jail sentence and $3,500 fine is an order from Magistrate Bernadette Boss for Wighton to publicly denounce his conduct.

He’s committed to that — and more.

Wighton’s case was heard by the Galambany court, a specialised court for Aboriginal offenders within the ACT Magistrates Court.

He made a promise to the Aboriginal elders who listened to Wighton’s plea from inside the sentencing circle.

“In court, I saw the (CCTV) vision, and I said it’s obviously something I would take back, if I could take back,’’ Wighton said.

“I regret it. I know I stuffed up. I didn’t try and sugar-coat anything. I had to be honest — it was my doing. I had to take what was coming.’’

Being an NRL player has meaning off the field as well. Image: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

On his days off, Wighton works at Fyshwick PCYC with teenagers struggling from broken homes or who are in juvenile homes.

“The elders asked me, if I could promise to keep helping out the youth. I thought it was a pretty easy promise to make,’’ Wighton said.

“I get to make relationships with the young kids of Canberra and hopefully help one or two along the way. I’ve been enjoying it.

“Some of them have been in juvenile (homes) or aren’t attending school, and I’m just trying to help them and make it a safe environment for them.

“We do school work in the morning and we do activities in the afternoon to create teamwork.’’

LISTEN! Matty, Kenty and Finchy dissect both Origin teams and a game looming as a classic, recount the best of Tommy Raudonikis and Matty recalls Mitchell Pearce’s sleepover at the Johns household.

Renowned for his physicality and toughness, Wighton’s recent troubles and desire to reform shouldn’t dilute his journey from the tiny country NSW mining town of Lucknow, to the bright lights of Suncorp Stadium.

From the age of nine, Wighton would wake each morning to milk cows, ride a plough tractor and cart hay on the property of his neighbours.

Motorbikes, fishing and breaking-in horses were Wighton’s best weekends.

Blistered hands from an early age is perhaps a small insight into why Raiders coach Ricky Stuart rates the proud boy from the bush as one of the hardest players he’s ever coached.

Scouted to the Raiders as a 16-year-old, Wighton has remained in Canberra ever since.

Wighton can use Origin to show how far he has come. Image: Phil Hillyard

“I went down as a shy country kid and they’d tell me to come out of my shell if you want to progress,’’ Wighton said.

“They can’t shut me up now.’’

On Wednesday night, Wighton will pull on his first NSW jersey. His heart will be with the ones he couldn’t have made it to Suncorp Stadium without.

“I’ve got six mates from Orange who have already booked their flights to Brisbane. You don’t have to have many of them, but the couple of good ones — that’s what you need,’’ Wighton said.

“My biggest supporter, my mum (Loretta) and stepdad (Dave), drove me everywhere for footy. They’ll be there.

“My partner is a rock and my girls are everything.

“I owe Ricky and the club, big time.

“When I was down and close to losing it all, I realised how I’ve got to make the most of every opportunity.

“It has made me love the game so much more.’’

Originally published as Jack Wighton signed a contract to stay away from Canberra CBD