The Canberra Raiders face a battle to retain star five-eighth Jack Wighton amid affirmation the 30-year-old goes to the open marketplace for the primary time since becoming a member of the membership.
Wighton, who’s off-contract on the finish of this season, has an choice in his favour for 2024 and it was extensively anticipated he would lengthen his keep within the nation’s capital.
But The Daily Telegraphreported on Tuesday afternoon that Wighton, who had till spherical 10 to set off that automated extension, will as a substitute check his price.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Cronk lashes Eels ‘loopy’ Gutho name | 00:58
Raiders CEO David Furner informed The Sydney Morning Heraldthat the workforce will “do everything” it may possibly to increase Wighton, who has been at Canberra since making his NRL debut again in 2012.
“We would love to see Jack finish as a one-club player and that’s certainly our aim,” Furner mentioned.
“We’re fully prepared for this situation and he certainly deserves the chance to look around.
“He’s been with us for 14 years and been loyal to our club, he’s never been shopped around, just always came back and signed up. This is possibly his last contract, he’s got a young family to think of and we fully support that.
“That said, we’ll do everything to keep him too.”
Wighton would generate vital curiosity throughout the league, with the Tigers, Bulldogs, Dolphins, Sea Eagles and Dragons nonetheless coping with query marks surrounding their present halves pairings.
The 30-year-old will likely be sidelined for the subsequent fortnight for a excessive sort out on Jackson Hasting because the Sixteenth-placed Raiders look to get their season again on observe in opposition to defending premiers Penrith.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au