NRL Daily: Live rolling rugby league coverage from around Australia

CANBERRA have slammed the NRL’s decision to overrule the Raiders’ penalty for fullback Jack Wighton — rolling rugby league coverage.

THE Canberra Raiders are unlikely to respond to the NRL’s decision to impose a 10-week suspension and a $30,000 fine on fullback Jack Wighton for his involvement in a pre-season incident.

The Raiders were fuming on Friday, accusing the NRL of “coming over the top” of the club’s original six-week ban on Wighton. STAYING: Brisbane poised to keep Su’A PREMIERSHIP: Why the top eight isn’t locked in yet In a strong statement, Raiders chairman Dr Allan Hawke said the club was upset NRL’s choice to extend Wighton’s club imposed suspension. LISTEN: Nick Campton and Tim Williams break down Origin one more time, look ahead to the race to the finals and argue over Campo’s player ratings. Subscribe to the League Central podcast on iTunes Despite Canberra’s initial stance, an NRL spokesman said video footage showed the conduct warranted a stronger penalty. The NRL have given Wighton five days to respond to the proposed penalty, but at this stage the Raiders don’t feel it’s nesseasary to reply. Hawke labelled the NRL’s choice to empower the club before going over their head as both confusing and contradictory. “We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine to the penalty,” Hawke said. “This penalty is excessive, as Jack still has to face further penalties imposed by the ACT Magistrate and Galambany Courts. “We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by clubs in the future. “In light of this, it appears clubs don’t really have a role in imposing penalties on their own employees, so perhaps it’s time for the NRL and its Integrity Unit to decide these matters, so that there will be a consistent approach for future offences. “But after reviewing all of the facts surrounding this incident we firmly stand by our decision and the punishment handed down by the club. “We will continue to support Jack in his rehabilitation.” It’s understood Canberra didn’t originally fine Wighton due to his ongoing court case, which is set to be finalised in November. The Raiders also handed the fullback a six-week suspension with his mental health an important factor. In addition, Canberra have previously made admirable decisions to part ways with misbehaving players like Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan and Todd Carney. All these factors, led to the Raiders making their feelings towards the NRL crystal clear. Wighton, who has already been stood down by the Raiders for two weeks, will be ineligible to play until the end of Round 25. He has pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one of public urination and will return to the ACT Magistrates Court for sentencing in November.

Originally published as NRL Daily: Live rolling rugby league coverage from around Australia

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