Coach hits back over Wighton 'circus':
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...n/news-story/84c01a0db8934ae6acc890d772283774
Plus, from the Daily Telegraph, imagine if we could somehow get him this year!!!! I find it unlikely but you never know.
Sport Confidential: South Sydney angling for mid-season Jack Wighton switch
South Sydney have kept the door slightly ajar for a possible mid-season switch for
Jack Wighton as they formally lodged with the NRL not only their contract for Wighton but the nature of their negotiations.
While the Raiders have no immediate desire to move Wighton on, South Sydney would be open to taking their 2024 star recruit on before the June 30 deadline. A player swap is the only way South Sydney could accommodate the move given their 30-man roster is complete. Utility back Blake Taaffe is off-contract at season’s end and is set to be squeezed out of the Rabbitohs because of Wighton’s impending arrival.
The relationship between Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and Wighton will make for interesting viewing in the coming weeks. The Raiders have no walk-up starter to replace Wighton in the halves next year and could use the next period to trial off-contract Brad Schneider alongside Jamal Fogarty. That could push Wighton into the backrow or centre.
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said he was “excited” to close out the four year deal for Wighton.
“I know it was a tough decision for Jack,” Demetriou said. “We will get on with 2023 now that’s our main focus. We look forward to bringing Jack in, in 2024.
The
Rabbitohs this week lodged Wighton’s new $3.3 million with the NRL. To further prove all the talks were above board and there are no illegalities the Rabbitohs have also taken the step of providing the NRL with a breakdown of the negotiations between Wighton’s management and the club.
“We are comfortable with it,” Demetriou said. “We will go to the NRL. It’s all above board.”
Stuart hit-out at the current transfer system where players can sign deals with rival clubs with months still left to play out at their current team.
Demetriou shared the frustration and said he would be keen to explore a transfer window. A three-tiered transfer window has been floated as part of the ongoing CBA discussions.
“I understand it’s tough when a player is having to do this in season,” Demetriou said. “It’s not ideal. “We went through that with Adam (Reynolds) and he made the decision to go (to Brisbane).
“I’d be happy to listen (to a different system).”
RABBITOHS BURROW IN
The Rabbitohs decision to sign Wighton has not stopped them from trying to tie down some of their established stars but rival clubs have been made aware of Keaon Koloamatangi’s impending availability.
South Sydney have kicked-off negotiations with Koloamatangi, Campbell Graham and Tevita Tatola in a bid to lock the trio down before they hit the open market on November 1.
Koloamatangi and Graham are on the cusp of NSW selection with only injury derailing Koloamatangi’s chances while Tatola was South Sydney’s best player last year but has had a disrupted start to the season.
Koloamatangi’s agent Tyran Smith emailed clubs recently to let them know of his impending free agent status. Smith’s list also included his son Reimis Smith, Brisbane and NSW prop Payne Haas, who is being targeted by the Australian Rugby Union, and Manly centre Morgan Harper.
