What’s the Buzz: Jack Wighton set for shock switch in Raiders shake-up
Jack Wighton’s six-month ban from rugby league is set to end with a shock promotion that will see Canberra’s most controversial player become arguably their most important.
Jack Wighton’s six-month ban from rugby league is set to end with a shock promotion that will see Canberra’s most controversial player become arguably their most important.
We’ve been told Wighton will be thrust into the frontline when he makes his return from an NRL-sanctioned ban for assault as the Raiders bad-boy is set to make a surprise switch to five-eighth.
Wighton is expected to play alongside Aidan Sezer in a new-look halves pairing that will be out to lead the Raiders to just their second finals appearance in eight years.
Wighton has spent the pre-season training at No. 6 and is set to make the switch from fullback for Canberra’s season opener against the Titans on the Gold Coast.
Nick Cotric played five games in the No. 1 jersey last year and would be frontrunner to replace Wighton.
Brad Abbey is another option for key position.
Wighton, 25, is in contention for the playmaking spot just two months after he avoided jail for an off-field incident that earned him the six-month NRL ban.
He was handed a suspended two-month suspended jail sentence and a $3500 fine in the ACT Magistrates Court in November for six charges relating to an incident outside a Canberra nightclub last February.
Wighton pleaded guilty to assaulting three men outside the Academy Nightclub in an attack that was caught on film.
The NRL confirmed Wighton would be free to make his return in 2019.
“He received a fine from the game which was effectively 10 times what he got in the court of law and he didn’t play again in the entire 2018 season so I think his punishment is served,’’ NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.