South Sydney NRL: Is Jack Wighton really the answer to Rabbitohs’ problems?

As internal issues continue to plague South Sydney, PAUL CRAWLEY analyses what impact incoming star Jack Wighton will have on the club’s culture and on-field success.

Jack Wighton is set to join South Sydney.

Now to the elephant that is yet to even enter the room at South Sydney - Jack Wighton.

There was a story that came out of Canberra a few years back relating to how a young player trying to make a name for himself made the mistake of saying the wrong thing about Jarrod Croker in front of Wighton.

Without warning or hesitation, Wighton stood up, walked across the room, and you can probably work out what happened next.

And as the young bloke sat there licking his wounds, Wighton told him in no uncertain terms that the Raiders skipper will be treated with respect in his company.

Will Wighton play troublemaker or troubleshooter when a man with a reputation of playing as hard off the field as he does on it arrives at the Rabbitohs next year to join his great mates Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker?

As Wighton prepares to run out for his last home game for the Raiders against the Broncos on Saturday, there has been some understandable chatter this week relating to how Wighton will fit in at a club already going through turmoil on the back of Sam Burgess’ shock exit and explosive claims relating to double standards that have been afforded to Mitchell and Walker.

With claims Burgess fell out with Jason Demetriou over an alleged drop in standards, one school of thought is that Wighton’s arrival will only add to the powder keg of emotions that is clearly already causing a divide among the Rabbitohs’ playing group.

Wighton will link with close mates Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell next year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

It’s no secret the special bond between the three Indigenous stars was one of the big reasons Wighton turned down a huge $4 million offer to stay loyal to Canberra and instead take about $750,000 less over the course of his four-year deal to sign with the Rabbitohs.

But what is not as well documented is how Wighton also struck up a good rapport with fellow Rabbitohs leaders Cam Murray and Campbell Graham while away playing for the Kangaroos at last year’s World Cup, and that is said to have also been a factor in Wighton joining Souths.

This is where Wighton could end up being the perfect ‘Mr Fix It’ to help build a bridge between the club’s rumoured splintered factions, where most of the drama always seems to centre around Mitchell and Walker.

TROUBLEMAKER OR TROUBLESHOOTER?

Wighton has a reputation as an incredibly hard trainer, who, just as importantly, has never been backwards about calling out others who may not be as committed.

However, Wighton hasn’t always been able to sidestep trouble. His most recent drama with police involved Mitchell following Wighton’s 30th birthday celebrations in February.

The two have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged fight outside a Canberra nightclub, and will face court on October 30.

Regardless of how the Rabbitohs’ season finishes, that court case will only add to the headlines ahead to Wighton’s move to Sydney, where the spotlight will be a hell of a lot more intense than it ever was in Canberra.

Is Jack Wighton really the signing Souths need? Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images.

MONEY WELL SPENT?

The irony not lost on many Souths fans is that the club would only offer former home-grown skipper Adam Reynolds a year-to-year deal to stay because of concerns over his age and his body.

Yet, Wighton will be 31 when he runs out for Rabbitohs next year, on a deal that stretches until the end of 2027.

Meanwhile, Reynolds, 33, has been the architect behind the Broncos’ rise from a basket case to potential minor premiers.

And with a season still to run on his existing deal, Reynolds is also now negotiating an extension for at least one more year.

Letting Reynolds go will rank as one of the biggest retention stuff-ups in the game’s history, and will be further compounded if Souths miss the top eight and the deeper Brisbane go in the finals.

Wighton and Mitchell representing NSW in State of Origin.

WIGHTON FACING HIS OWN STRUGGLES

While Mitchell’s alarming drop in form has been well documented in the wake of his last round shocker in the loss to Newcastle, Wighton himself has been going through his own struggles at the Raiders, although it has not received near as much attention.

But the 2019 Clive Churchill Medallist has been nowhere near his best all season, and some of his more recent performances have been particularly concerning.

Jack Wighton is set for his last home game as a Raider. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Many believe Wighton will be better suited playing in the centres for Souths next year than his current position at five-eighth.

But given his recent form, Wighton’s Rabbitohs deal is looking to be a massive gamble.

Originally published as South Sydney NRL: Is Jack Wighton really the answer to Rabbitohs’ problems?