NRL Market Watch: Off-contract Raiders star Jack Wighton meets with Wayne Bennett, Rabbitohs
The Dolphins have tabled an eye watering contract to Jack Wighton, and the move drew a swift response from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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Jack Wighton will spend the weekend mulling over his future after South Sydney formally entered the race for his signature at a high-powered meeting on Friday afternoon where he was given a look at the club’s new headquarters and a glimpse into their premiership plans.
Only hours after Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell sung the club’s praises at breakfast in Redfern, the Rabbitohs’ quest to sign Wighton ramped up at a meeting with chief executive Blake Solly, head of football Mark Ellison and coach Jason Demetriou.
The Canberra star’s managers Matt Rose and Warwick Wright were also in attendance at the club’s new training centre at Heffron Park. Wighton has a four year deal on the table from the Raiders worth $4.4 million, a figure well beyond what Souths and the Dolphins are prepared to offer for his services.
However, both the Dolphins and Rabbitohs believe that money isn’t the only thing driving Wighton as they look to convince him that his future should be with them.
The Dolphins made their pitch on Thursday after Wighton flew to Brisbane to meet coach Wayne Bennett and recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan.
It is understood Wighton walked away from the meeting impressed with what the Dolphins, and in particular Bennett, had to say. On Friday, Bennett made it clear he wouldn’t get into a bidding war with the Rabbitohs over Wighton, having tabled a four year deal believed to be worth close to $4 million for the NSW and Australian star.
The Dolphins, however, have made their intentions clear after tabling the biggest contract in their embryonic history in a bid to land a franchise player for 2024 and beyond.
News Corp was told that the Dolphins were frontrunners to steal Wighton after discussing terms on a four-year deal that would make the Canberra star the highest paid player at the club.
Sources close to Wighton said the Raiders strike utility was leaning towards a new chapter at the Dolphins, but that was before his final meeting with Rabbitohs chiefs.
However, it is understood he walked away from his meeting with Bennett impressed with what the seven-time premiership winner had to say.
Crucially, while Bennett is expected to only be head coach for one more season before handing over the reins to assistant Kristian Woolf, he made it clear he would still be a presence at the club beyond 2025 in another capacity.
Wighton is believed to have told the Dolphins in his meeting that he and his family were ready to make a sea change and move to Brisbane – Wighton’s wife has family in south-east Queensland,
Bennett is comfortable with the Dolphins’ package to Wighton and said he isn’t bothered by the threat of the Rabbitohs, whose four-year deal is expected to be worth around $900,000 a season.
“Yes I met with him and we’re like everybody else now, I will wait and see what Jack chooses,” Bennett said.
“I don’t know what Souths are doing and I’m not worried.
“When we recruit a player, our mindset is around what they can do for our club and it’s no different with Jack.
“It was a good meeting, it’s all done now and we’ll wait and see what he decides.”
The Raiders remain confident they will retain Wighton after tabling what is believed to be the most lucrative deal of the remaining suitors – a $4.4 million contract worth $1.1m a season.
Wighton, who turns 31 in February, is desperate to win an NRL premiership ring in his advancing years and South Sydney’s title window is open now.
Another Redfern attraction is the presence of South Sydney stars Mitchell and Cody Walker, who played alongside Wighton in this year’s Indigenous All Stars clash.
Bennett would not speculate on which position Wighton would play at the Dolphins and said he wasn’t sure if the 225-game NRL veteran is genuine about moving to Queensland.
However, it is understood Wighton told both Souths and the Dolphins that he wasn’t wedded to the idea of playing any position. Sources told News Corp that Wighton’s only priority was playing a role where he could help bring success.
“You have to ask Jack how keen he was,” Bennett said.
“I can’t read his mind but he came to talk to us so I have to assume he is interested, he caught up with us for a reason.
“He is certainly a quality player and we’re looking for quality players.
“I have no idea on Jack’s time frame. He’s a very versatile player, I like that Jack is a natural footballer, so I could play him in a number of positions.”
DOLPHINS STAR HITS $2.5M JACKPOT
By Peter Badel
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have continued their retention drive by securing star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to a $2.5 million extension.
Having retained hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and back-rower Connelly Lemuelu, the Dolphins have rewarded the ‘Hammer’ for his superb form ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.
Already contracted until the end of 2024, Tabuai-Fidow has been upgraded for the next two seasons and inked a three-year extension until the end of 2027 in a major coup for the Dolphins.
The bumper upgrade is worth at least $800,000 a season for Tabuai-Fidow, who has rocketed into Queensland Origin selection following his scintillating start to the season with the new expansion franchise.
The 21-year-old said he is relishing his time at the NRL’s 17th team after taking a leap of faith, requesting an early release from the Cowboys to link with Bennett’s Dolphins.
“It was a big call to get out of my comfort zone and test myself at the Dolphins, but I’ve enjoyed coming down here and the club has been welcoming. It’s been great,” Tabuai-Fidow said.
“I came to the Dolphins with no real pressure, I just tried to play my natural way and Wayne Bennett has supported me with that.
“It’s been a good move.”
The Cairns speed demon has had a remarkable start to his Dolphins career, scoring eight tries from his first six games to rocket to the top of the NRL’s tryscoring chart.
Unproven as a fullback coming into this season, Tabuai-Fidow has amassed 31 tackle busts, four line breaks, two try assists and a whopping 1130 running metres at an average of 161m per game.
The Hammer’s form has seen him surge into the Origin equation with the versatile Tabuai-Fidow being considered for a fullback, wing or centre spot for the series opener against NSW on May 31.
Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Tabuai-Fidow’s class in the No. 1 jumper was a key factor in broking the long-term deal.
“It is so pleasing that Hamiso has shown the form we believed he was capable of and demonstrated just what a matchwinner he can be,” said Reader.
“He came to the Dolphins on the chance to assert himself as a fullback – an opportunity we must sincerely thank the Cowboys for in allowing Hamiso a release to take up that challenge.
“There is no doubt that Hamiso has shown he is a true game-breaker by scoring tries in each of his first six games for the club.
“That included our historic first ever premiership try against the Roosters in round one, a moment that will live in the memories of everyone who attended that game on that famous day.
“He has now established himself as one of the form fullbacks in the NRL and that is why he has got this reward.
“We look forward to the many years our members and fans will enjoy seeing the ‘Hammer’ stride out into open space for the Dolphins.”
Queensland coach Billy Slater confirmed Tabuai-Fidow is on his selection radar.
“Hammer has been fantastic for the Dolphins,” he said.
“It’s not just the tries he is scoring, it’s his influence in defence and the decisions he makes and they are the habits I watch and how consistent guys are in those areas.
“In the past, Hammer could have been guilty of drifting in and out of games, but he is consistently putting himself in a position to have an impact on games.”
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Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Off-contract Raiders star Jack Wighton meets with Wayne Bennett, Rabbitohs
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