Monday Buzz: South Sydney’s poaching of Jack Wighton would wound Raiders

The Raiders’ grip on the Canberra sporting public is not what is used to be, and the club can ill afford ot lose its biggest drawcard, writes Phil Rothfield.

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Canberra is a tough sporting market.

An A-League soccer team from the national capital will enter the competition next year.

The Brumbies are well established as the most powerful rugby union franchise in the country.

As for the AFL, they’ve just picked up $28.5 million from the ACT government to bring games to Canberra until 2032.

The AFL is deadly serious about getting a bigger footprint in Canberra.

The Giants are more popular in Canberra than they are in Western Sydney

GWS now play three games a year in the national capital and regularly sell-out.

Their presence has sharply lifted participation numbers in recent years.

The GWS Giants regularly sell out Manuka Oval in Canberra. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And then there’s the poor old Canberra Raiders.

If they lose their biggest name, Jack Wighton, it will be a major blow.

The NRL is rightly concentrating on expansion, the Dolphins and an 18th team.

But the game needs to ensure clubs like the Raiders are not left behind.

The green machine entered the competition back in 1982.

They have had some incredible success.

That’s not to say that the NRL can ignore the challenges they are now facing.

Plenty of big names will be sweating over the Wighton contract talks.

EIGHT RABBITOHS WHO COULD LOSE IF WIGHTON JOINS CLUB

South Sydney boss Blake Solly has rubbished suggestions the Jack Wighton contract talks at Rabbitohs have the potential to destabilise their roster and affect the futures of up to eight stars.

Jason Demetriou might be desperate to sign the Canberra Raiders superstar but other players at the Rabbitohs – and their agents – are nervously watching this one play out.

Souths have a playing group as tight as any in the premiership but there are at least eight current players who could be affected by the move.

In fairness we contacted Souths chief executive Blake Solly to get his side of the story.

“I think Jason (Demetriou) spoke for everyone at the club on Friday when he said we won’t do anything that impacts our ability to keep this squad together,” Solly said.

“We have a careful plan to retain those players who want to be Rabbitohs for life.”

It angers Solly that Souths’ recruitment strategy is being challenged. That like Melbourne Storm they have a history of developing players who were unwanted elsewhere.

“Our coaching and football department do not get the credit they deserve for their recruitment efforts and development of players,’ he said.

“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.”

Still, all eyes are going to be on the Rabbitohs.

The value of their players is only going to increase if Souths go as deep into the finals as many expect they will.

Fans often question the Sydney Roosters’ salary cap and their glamour roster.

Especially after they’ve already added Dom Young and Spencer Leniu for next year.

If Souths can somehow sign Wighton and somehow manage to keep all their players, they will face the same interrogation.

Interestingly they travel to Brisbane next week to play the Broncos.

They’ll be up against Adam Reynolds – the living proof of how the salary cap pressure we’re talking about can claim even the champions.