‘Not the kid’s fault’: JD’s huge halves dilemma as legend makes big Wighton call

There are calls for South Sydney to make a brutal call on their halves after a “horror show” on Thursday night continued their ugly season start.

Souths have been urged to make a big call. Pic: Getty

Souths insisted they signed Jack Wighton as a centre but he hasn’t even debuted yet and the calls are already growing louder to play the Dally M Medal winning five-eighth in the halves.

The Rabbitohs nosedived from first on the ladder after Round 11 last year to inexplicably missing finals and in 2024 they’ve picked up where they left off.

A poor opening round loss to the Sea Eagles in Las Vegas was following with an abysmal showing against the Broncos on Thursday night.

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The Bunnies made 16 errors against Brisbane and they’ve already conceded a whopping 64 points in their first two games.

The club has lost 11 of his past 15 matches and now face a brutal block of games against the Roosters, Bulldogs, Warriors, Sharks, Storm and Panthers.

Third-year coach Jason Demetriou is already under immense pressure - especially with Wayne Bennett available next season - and faces a huge call on Wighton after he described Round 2 as “a horror show”.

“Souths are 0-2, but they have got the Roosters next week,” Matty Johns said on Fox League.

“They have got Jack Wighton back next week and that can’t come quick enough.”

Jack Wighton of the Rabbitohs. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Bryan Fletcher questioned Johns on the heavy criticism that has come for Lachlan Ilias after the Rabbitohs halfback had another poor game on Thursday night.

“There has been a lot of criticism of the halfback Lachlan Ilias,” Fletcher said.

“They have got the young Dean Hawkins waiting for an opportunity.”

Johns believes the criticism of Ilias is unfair, but admitted Souths may play better with Wighton as a playmaker alongside Walker.

“It is unfair on Ilias,” Johns said.

“It depends what they want. The system of play is slightly wrong.

“They are looking to always play around opposition. If they want to make a change and they want to adjust, the answer, if they want to start playing through teams, might be Cody Walker to No.7 and Jack Wighton to No.6.

“That will give them more of a run threat. But it is unfair on Ilias because it is not the kid’s fault.”

Lachlan Ilias is under plenty of pressure. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Demetriou blasted his side’s “dumb” performance against the Broncos and the coach cannot wait for Wighton to return from suspension against their arch rivals the Roosters next week.

“It’s going to be his first game of the year, obviously, and we’re excited to have him making his debut for the club,” Demetriou said.

“And he gives us some experience on those edges and gives us some physicality as well. So, yeah, we’re looking forward to having him back.

“He’d be a big in for us, but again, we’ve got to tidy up the dumb things we did tonight. Get rid of the dumb stuff.

“Otherwise, Jack’s going to be doing like the rest of them we’re doing tonight and that’s tackling.”

Originally published as ‘Not the kid’s fault’: JD’s huge halves dilemma as legend makes big Wighton call