Canberra have refused to tear up Jack Wighton’s NRL contract, vowing to stand by the Raiders fullback as he awaits sentencing for assault charges.
Wighton was stood down from Saturday night’s 26-22 loss in Brisbane after pleading guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three of common assault and one of public urination during a night out in February.
The 25-year-old will appear in court for sentencing on Wednesday.
The maximum penalty for assault occasioning actual bodily harm is a five-year jail sentence.
It is believed the Raiders board will meet on Friday to decide Wighton’s NRL fate after sentencing.
His season appears over with Wighton facing a lengthy ban but Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his future at the club was safe.
“Now it’s about the process of letting Jack go to court and see what the sentencing is and our board will make a decision with regards to the punishment,” Stuart said.
“You are talking to a club that has been at the forefront of the whole competition in regards to discipline of poor behaviour.
“But our chairman Allan Hawke has asked to pass onto the players (that) we have no intention whatsoever in tearing up Jack Wighton’s contract.
“We will be looking after his welfare and rehabilitation.”
Stuart refused to blame the Wighton controversy for their crucial loss on Saturday night after Canberra let a 16-0 halftime lead slip at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane pivot Anthony Milford proved the difference as the hosts piled on four second half tries to clinch a club record sixth straight win over Canberra.
It was a body blow to ninth-placed Canberra’s finals hopes with eighth-ranked Brisbane now holding a three win break over the Raiders.
“It wasn’t a distraction. I have a very tough bunch of kids there who handled the change late in the week,” Stuart said of Wighton being stood down.
“It didn’t have any bearing on the result. We should have won that game and it was our own doing with regards to why we didn’t – you have to defend an error.”
Brad Abbey made an impressive NRL debut as Wighton’s fullback replacement, running 129m.
NSW hopeful, winger Nick Cotric, crossed again on Saturday night to become the third Raider to score in seven straight games after Noa Nadruku (nine straight, 1996) and Peter Jackson (eight straight, 1988).
Canberra’s only fitness concern was back-rower Joe Tapine (concussion).
Jaime O'Donnell
Guest
Hey souvalis, I am pretty sure peeko knew that, his comment was in response to the authors following statement. "Brad Abbey made an impressive NRL debut as Wighton’s fullback replacement, running 129m." It's a shame really, IMO Abbey is a good reserve grade player, just not upto NRL standard based on his games for the Dogs and now Canberra.... Ricky, move Cotric to F/B, he will probably make a better fist of than Abbey, maybe even Wighton.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Impressive debut ? Did you watch the second half ?
peeko
Guest
Brad Abbey made an impressive NRL debut - he played games for Dogs last year
Gary Harvey
Guest
It's a tough one and to state the obvious ultimately must turn on the facts. There are assaults where I am sure most people would sympathise with the person charged and at the other end of the spectrum there are monstrously cowardly acts like the one punch king hits. You would assume Jack has the backing of a pretty powerful legal team, and for them to decide that pleading guilty is his best option indicates that things were pretty nasty. If that was the case I agree with Taree Raider and Jack needs to be moved on. The person the Raiders really need to move on is Ricky Stuart though - geez, how bad can a coach get.
Taree Raider
Guest
Wighton has pleaded guilty to two assaults & urinating in public, he pleaded guilty on the day the matter was to be heard at Court, in pleading guilty his legal team obviously negotiated the withdrawal of a further three assault charges. It will be interesting to see the footage of the incident/s when it becomes public. Obviously Wighton's involvement in this incident was not only wrong but criminal. Jack also will face civil action by the victims of these assaults which will have considerable financial implications for him. It must also be remembered that NRL players by their profession are at an exceptional level of strength and fitness to the average citizen. Just like Boxers & Martial Arts experts, they are generally handed much more severe penalties at sentence for acts of violence due to their vocations. The Raiders have said they will stand by Jack. That's their decision, but they must reinforce that as a Club they don't condone or tolerate violent behaviour towards others. They must now show leadership by imposing appropriate actions against Wighton as a Club.
Jed Clampit
Guest
Assaults five different guys ? You have to think he probably didn’t start it. If that’s the case , he should be given a medal , not charged .