Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is a polarising figure in rugby league.
Actually wait, scratch that. It isn’t really accurate to say that Stuart is a polarising figure in rugby league because for the most part there are just the Ricky haters and then a few remaining folks who think the jury is still out.
I’ve written before about the curious phenomenon of Ricky hating which is one thing that really brings fans of many different teams together. Ricky is hated from one end of the rugby league world to the other.
But on the long list of things that 2016 has proven Ricky right and the haters wrong about, there is no clearer case than that of fullback Jack Wighton, who Stuart has been a staunch defender of and advocate for though some decidedly lean periods.
Wighton has been the number one choice at fullback for the Raiders for almost two years now and it has been a period marked by a no small number of peaks but every bit as many quite deep troughs. His inconsistency has led many to call for Wighton to be moved within the team or dropped altogether.
I’ll happily front up and admit that I was one who thought Wighton should be at the very least under pressure part way through this season.
It wasn’t just the inexcusable wild pass in golden point against the Dragons (but that didn’t help). In fact it wasn’t just the truly awful error rate which still has him significantly ahead of the next worst offender in the competition (Wighton’s 33 errors put him five clear of the next placed Tom Trbojevic).
It was the overall sense that even after 30 or so matches in the role that Wighton still didn’t seem to know exactly how he wanted to contribute as a fullback.
Certainly he would have the odd great game. Round 1 2015 against the Sharks and Round 21 of last season against the Cowboys leap to mind as does Round 5 at Belmore Park this year. But overall I was of the view that Wighton was never going to have enough game sense and was always going to make too many errors to play fullback.
I thought a move back to the centres or even to the edge back row a la Luke Lewis might be better for Wighton (I still kinda like that last idea to be honest).
I thought Stuart was being stubborn in persisting with Wighton at fullback and may even be seriously damaging the kid’s chances to make it in a more suitable position.
I was wrong. And so were a lot of other people.
Wighton may have started the season slowly but over the last five weeks he has been truly extraordinary for the Green Machine as everything seems to have finally clicked for the 23-year-old.
The following chart shows just how dramatic the improvement has been over the last five games compared to the previous 14.
| Jack Wighton 2016 Statistics | ||||||
| Avg. Run Metres | Avg. Tackle Breaks | Total Line Breaks | Avg. Tackles | Total Tries | Total Errors | |
| First 14 games | 137.5 | 3 | 1 | 3.9 | 2 | 29 |
| Last five games | 139.4 | 4.4 | 4 | 5.4 | 5 | 4 |
It is an incredibly pronounced improvement with the good statistics like tackle breaks, line breaks and tries all on the upswing and the critical bad statistic, errors, substantially down. If you were to expand those numbers over a full season it would rate along with the very best players in the competition.
But the raw numbers don’t tell the story of his new found role in attack. In recent weeks the boy from Orange has re-discovered the bruising power run game he deployed early in his career as a centre. After spending months and months as a hit and miss finesse ball player, Wighton is now finding that his best asset for now may be using his speed and body positioning to power through smaller defenders. The ball playing will hopefully come next as defences load up to try to stop him running through them.
Wighton has also come on rapidly as a defensive fullback. His positioning has improved markedly with even elite kickers such as Adam Reynolds and the Sharks pair unable to find much grass against him and his wingers in recent weeks. Meanwhile, his broken field tackling is second to none as Jake Granville and Ben Barba can attest to.
Most importantly he has done all of these things consistently for five games in a row with each game better than the last. This is very encouraging for a Raiders team on the rise at the right time of year and comes as the other players in the Raiders’ spine have all also reached new heights in recent weeks.
In some ways Wighton is a mirror for his coach. For many years at least some part of the dislike for Stuart has been a perception that some in the media were all too willing to credit Stuart with being an exceptional coach on the back of “coasting to a title with a Brad Fittler-led, Graham Murray developed Roosters team that basically coached itself.”
This perception was then carried over to a solid, if not spectacular tenure at the Sharks (many people tend to forget the 2008 Sharks team that made a preliminary final despite their best attacking weapons being Brett Kearney and Luke Covell) and a disastrous period at the Eels. Not to mention a disappointing period as NSW coach. The haters began to resent the somewhat fawning coverage of Stuart that seemed to fly in the face of all evidence. At least one writer referred to him as the game’s greatest fraud.
For Jack Wighton also the reputation has for many people outrun the performances on the field. Wighton was drafted into the Country side in 2013 with only 15 games experience in the NRL and during that game, and virtually every other representative appearance he has made, we have heard time and again from people like Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler about how good Wighton is, or is going to be.
Yet all the while on the field he has been an error machine with only 24 tries to his name over his first 84 games despite playing in try scoring roles in the centres, wing and fullback (and four of those tries have come in the last five games). Wighton has also compounded the perception of himself as an overhyped, under delivering light weight with some poorly chosen posts on social media.
As with Stuart it had become evident there was among many league fans, including no doubt some Raiders fans, a visceral dislike of Wighton in response to the fluffing he received in the media.
However throughout an inconsistent 2015 and the early stages of this season as Wighton made mistake after mistake, Stuart has stood by player. At one point he declared that there was no fullback in competition he would rather have over Wighton, a claim which has seemed laughable at times as the likes of James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have scorched teams up and down the ladder.
But now with Ricky’s rebuild nearing completion, the coaches’ faith in his player is being amply rewarded as Wighton has vaulted into the top tier of players at his position.
Two years ago after a painful home loss to the Dragons Ricky Stuart went on what many would consider a trademark tirade about how his team was hard done by and how they wouldn’t be able to have success until he had recruited or developed representative players to surround the talent that he had within his own squad.
It was that loss and those comments from Stuart that prompted me to write about the Ricky hating phenomenon in the first place.
That was Round 23 2014 and it was the last time that a fit and healthy Jack Wighton wasn’t selected at fullback for the Raiders. The following week against the Sharks Wighton moved to fullback and Jarrod Croker was named interim captain. Not long after that Blake Austin and Sia Soliola joined the club and others such as Josh Hodgson soon followed as a new era began at the Raiders.
Whether Wighton is the best fullback in the competition or even the most in form fullback is of course debateable. But there is zero doubt that Ricky Stuart was right about the kid. He really is very, very good.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Over the last four years Moylan has 47 try assists to Wighton's 24 though.
Craig
Guest
I'm not bagging Wighton, he's an exciting young player who has played a few good games in a winning team. He's played more terrible games than good ones this year. So in May, many thought Coote was performing in the top 3 fullbacks in the game. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-power-rankings-fullbacks-james-tedesco-lachlan-coote-cameron-munster-lead-the-charge/news-story/6eaad4dde53e5c84c547bab6e3b9ca26 If you can't be bothered reading the article, its the power rankings of fullbacks as at May - Tedesco, Coote, Munster, Barba, Hopoate. Obviously these are debatable, but when the NSW side was being picked Tedesco, Coote, Moylan and Dugan were the options - no mention of Wighton at any stage. Most of those guys have continued in pretty good form. Boyd is in great form despite a struggling broncos, Trbojevic too. Throw in an injured Roger TVS, Billy Slater and the return of Hayne - throw in any one of Morris, Dugan, The depth at fullback in the NRL is incredible. Pick a rep team tomorrow, Inglis, Boyd, Tedesco, Hayne, Dugan, Coote, Moylan all definitely get picked ahead of Wighton. Thats 7 players. Barba, Morris, Trbojevic, Gagai, if Slater and Roger TVS return from injury? Thats another 6 players who are excellent fullbacks, Barba has played outstanding this year. If fit - Slater and Roger TVS are well ahead of Wighton. I havent even thrown in Munster who has had a fantastic year. I find it tough to consider him in the top 10 fullbacks in the game. Fullback is easily the position with the most depth in the NRL today.
zim
Guest
Coote. Don't think so. Speed bumps are better in defense and he has no tackle breaking ability. He's more a quick, servicing 5/8 than a fullback. "You would struggle to make an argument he’s in the top 10 or 12 fullbacks in the NRL." It's a shame you didn't start with that line so it was obvious immediately you had no idea what you were talking about.
Armchair expert
Guest
I think Ricky hurt Wighton by persisting with him at 5/8, the year before last. I hope that he has turned the corner and his performances are more consistent, going forward. I think also that Ricky has matured along with his team this year. Gone are the whinges about the refs and the players are responding.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
By right now i mean right now at this point in their career based on everything i have seen from them. As you say a player being selected by NSW is a poor measure of ability but regardless of that i am simply not a Moylan fan. He's a fine player but i'd prefer to have Wighton.
Craig
Guest
What do you mean "Right now"? On the basis of five games? You don't judge how good a player is over five games. Moylan played well enough to get selected for the Blues only a couple months ago (admittedly using the Blues selection as evidence of quality is fraught with risk) and is still playing quality footy. A couple of sandwiches don't make a picnic.
Craig
Guest
Some of his crunching tackles from defence have certainly been impressive, but I'm not sure that makes him a better defender per se. I am not a huge fan of Dugan and he's not someone I would want in my team, and despite his ups and down (and his ability to drift in and out of games) he is still more consistent than Wighton. I definitely see more promise in Wighton than Dugan and definitely better value for the money they're on. But if we're selecting a rep team tomorrow and its down to Wighton and Dugan and both are fully fit, Dugan gets selected.
Sham
Guest
He is also a better defender than Moylan
Sham
Guest
I don’t expect him to have a blinder every game but that is partly my point. I think that he is being over hyped by quite a few commentators (turbo Tom). It seems that he is already in the Origin side next year according to some commentators. He is young and is a great player who will probably get better. He is agile and has a big body. I do not think that he has the explosive pace of a Brett Stewart but he brings a lot of other things to the table. In judging fullbacks, we should be comparing not just who is the best fullback but who is best for each side. You may not want the very best fullback as you may want to spend more of your cap on other players. In my view Wighton is probably underrated by many commentators as few of them see the Raiders play. He makes a lot of last ditch goal line tackles to save tries he is fast, strong and his game sense is really improving. I would not swap him as a Raiders fan. Sure Tedesco is a better attacking fullback but if the Raiders signed him they would be paying a lot more than they pay Wighton – who would they have to sack to fit Tedesco under the cap? It is the cost v benefit ratio that should be considered – on that score Wighton rates very highly in my view.
Dave
Guest
The comment about Wighton having only scored 24 tries in 84 games in less interesting when you consider that it is a better strike rate than Moylan who has 16 tries from 64 games. Wighton is two years younger than "young" Matt Moylan too.
Dave
Guest
There are 227 players this season who have more try assists than Dugan. This includes Nate Myles and Jacob Lillyman. Add that to the fact that Dugan has only scored one try this season. He's gone stunningly backwards. He's a decent defensive fullback who makes good metres out of his own half and that's it.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
He did very little in his last match despite the hype. So a 19yo is meant to dominate every single NRL game? There is hype around Tom T because he is a genuine superstar. Watching him last year, especially live, you could see the effortless nature of everything he does. Only a small number of players have that. Handling, poise, guile. It was pretty incredible watching an 18yo make such an effortless transition into the top grade. And this year he has added playmaking to his game. Despite being shunted around the backline from wing, to centre, to fullback. And his match awareness, what he does off the ball, has improved out of sight Still there's a long way to go before he's the finished product. But luckily he has a lot of years ahead of him.
Craig
Guest
I'll give you Dugan. No debate over Inglis or Trbojevic.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Most of the Stuart knockers are angry Parra fans who don't seem to realise that the Eels board and previous coaches left him holding a box of active grenades or angry NSW fans who think the problem for the last decade has been the coach....
sham
Guest
Fair argument but in my view he is a better defender than Moylan and Coote. As for Trbojevic I think Wighton may have him for pace and the hype around Trbojevic is over the top. He is very good but there is a bandwagon about him (group think). He did very little in his last match despite the hype. Sure Boyd, Inglis, Slater and Dugan are probably better but Dugan looks like he has lost several yards of pace and Inglis while a superstar often appears to be playing wounded. Also Wighton has a better passing game than Dugan. As a raiders fan I see more upside from now on with Wighton than I see with Dugan
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
I would put Inglis, Dugan and Trbojevic in the 'debateable' basket myself, but you make a fair point.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Yep - that's a pretty strong list Craig. But I've been more than happy with the way Wighton has improved in the past 2 months. And if I had a choice of full backs to chop down a threat close to the try line I think Jack would be the first I'd choose.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Tim. You've got more patience than me and the rest of the fans in Bay 55. We were closing our eyes and wincing everytime Jack went up for a bomb earlier in the season and mouthing a few expletives when he spilled it. Good that he has his mojo back. I've convinced the whole family to come along to the game against the Storm - even the teenagers! Hope there is a big crowd. Weather forecast is 17C for next Monday so there is no excuses for not turning up. Bandwagon jumpers will be most welcome also.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
There certainly is a lot of depth among fullback isn't there. A few i'll happily agree with as better players but I disagree that its cut and dried that players like Dugan, Coote and even Moylan are better players right now. As for Trbojevic that kid is unbelievably talented and one of my favourite players to watch but he's still a kid
steveng
Roar Rookie
But gee Tim he was pretty bad thee for a while and whenever he touched the ball I'm sure that every Raiders fan and Ricky were biting their nails of what else he would do so wrong. Especially that stupid pass against the Dragons that resulted in a try and a win to the Dragons.