https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...g/news-story/a0e32607ce0ecc4d5b4b85b4029fd613
NRL 2018: Jack Wighton’s ban from Raiders isn’t harsh enough, says NRL CEO Todd Greenberg
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has made it clear Canberra’s proposed club suspension for fullback Jack Wighton is too lenient.
The NRL is set to overrule the Raiders’ six-week ban for Wighton, meaning the 25-year-old could be forced to sit out the rest of the season.
Wighton is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to assault charges from a night out in February.
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Greenberg couldn’t say when a resolution would be reached, but expects discussions with Canberra to continue during the next two days.
“It’s simple as this — I’ve viewed the footage and I don’t think the sanction they’ve proposed is strong enough,” Greenberg said on Thursday.
“We made our feelings pretty clear to Canberra.
“They made a decision, ultimately the power rests with us to come over the top if we don’t think the sanction is high enough.
“We’ve always maintained that clubs and the players with clubs are their employees and they set culture within their clubs.
“And to be frank, Canberra have done a very good job with that over a long period of time, making hard decisions around players.”
Canberra want Wighton to return for their round 22 match against Wests Tigers on August 12, factoring in the two matches he has already missed as part of their suspension.
Ricky Stuart’s team sits in ninth on the ladder, three games outside of a finals spot with eight matches to go in the season.
Dealing with off-field behaviour isn’t new for the Raiders as they have sacked Todd Carney, Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson for indiscretions before those players went onto star for new clubs.
Raiders chairman Allan Hawke is hoping that is taken into account when the NRL punishes Wighton.
“Jack has already taken some positive steps in this process and we will continue to ensure he’s doing everything he can to continue in this direction,” Hawke said on Monday.
“We don’t condone Jack’s actions and we’ve been transparent and up front during this whole process.
“Our club has taken a strong stance on issues like this in the past and our track record on dealing with player behaviour is on the public record.”
Wighton will face sentencing on November 14 over five charges of assault, including two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The maximum penalty for assault occasioning actual bodily harm is a five-year jail sentence.
