NRL in Dubbo: Jack Wighton returns to the central west as the Raiders make light work of the Rabbitohs

It couldn’t have gone any better for Jack Wighton’s return to the central west with Canberra Raiders storming to victory against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Apex Oval in Dubbo on Sunday.

It couldn’t have gone any better for Jack Wighton’s return to the central west with Canberra Raiders storming to victory against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Apex Oval in Dubbo on Sunday.

To top it off, Josh Papalii marked his 250th NRL game with a try, picking up three Dally M points in a dominant return to form for the Raiders.

“It feels awesome to get the win for big Papa’s 250th, he means a lot to the club and I’m glad we dug deep and really got it for this one,” Wighton said.

“(Papalii scoring) just made the afternoon, we love seeing big papa go over anytime but on his 250th it made it even more special.”

Josh Papalii of the Raiders stretches out to score a try during the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at APEX Oval, Dubbo on May 22, 2022. (Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Wighton has an affinity with the central west having grown up in Orange and was in awe of the support in Dubbo yesterday afternoon.

“The atmosphere at (Apex Oval) with the hill, it has that old school feel to it, they’re right on the fence,” he said.

“It’s as close as I can get to Orange without being (there), it was bloody awesome being back out here, the country people love it, there’s so much talent that comes from the country.

“I think we need more (games) out here, to see the NRL start to finally get back and put games out here means a lot, I reckon it’s just a stepping stone, we need a few more and it’s on the way.”

Raiders’ five-eighth Jack Wighton is tackled by Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs during the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at APEX Oval. (Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Personally for Wighton, Sunday wasn’t just about showing out in front of what felt like a home crowd, it was his first game back on the field since round eight, right before the Raiders started their three-game win streak.

“I needed that win, it’s been nine weeks since I’ve had a win,” he said.

“The boys have had two without me while I was out and to come back and get a win, it’s a good feeling, especially for big papa.”

The crowd watches on during the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at APEX Oval. (Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The win didn’t come easy though with head coach, Ricky Stuart revealing the side’s struggles with a few key players struck down by a nasty strain of the flu.

“That performance out there and that win after the week we’ve had with the flu and injuries, I had to pull two players out today,” Stuart said.

“We had to change our whole schedule around in regards to influenza, trying to protect the healthy (players) from (it).

“We had eight or so blokes, five out of the starting 17 have to train at different hours.

“It was a really good performance under the conditions and the pressure we had on this week.”

Milestone player, Papalii was thrilled with the performance, sharing a similar feeling to his head coach.

“It’s been an emotional week, that’s for sure,” he said.

“It’s a good way to bring 250, with a win.”

As for the Rabbitohs, the home support almost 400 kilometres away from Redfern was incredible with the official attendance reading 11,124.

Despite losing in consecutive years at Apex Oval, Rabbitohs’ head coach Jason Demetriou said the venue wasn’t to blame for his side’s performances.

“(Sunday’s) performance was very different to the performance here last year,” Demetriou said.

“I felt we started with an okay attitude, we lose (Tevita Tatola), a couple of things don’t go our way.

“We just feel like we have to try and solve the problem and come up with a quick fix and there’s never going to be a quick fix against Canberra.

“We weren’t aggressive enough, I think we missed 40 odd tackles. When you’re doing that, that comes out in how you run the footy as well.”

“It’s our season at the moment when we’re showing some good signs and then we’re showing some not good signs.”

Rabbitohs’ five-eighth Cody Walker passes during the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at APEX Oval, on May 22, 2022. (Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Although tasting defeat, Rabbitohs’ five-eighth Cody Walker highlighted how “important” it was to “bring a game out here to the country” with players from both sides spending time post-game, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

“Obviously it was a disappointing loss but at the end of the day, the fans are what keeps us playing the game and keeps us paying the bills,” Walker said.

“Those kids don’t understand the losses that happen and they don’t really care, they just want to see the footy players and us showing time and effort.