Parramatta appear unlikely to make a serious play for Canberra’s Jack Wighton as coach Brad Arthur continues his search for players to bolster the Eels’ roster.
Wighton told the Raiders last month he would test the open market for 2024 before deciding whether to take up a player option in his current contract and remain at Canberra.
A State of Origin player and recipient of both the Dally M and Clive Churchill Medals, Wighton will command above or around a seven-figure salary on his next contract, which could be his last given he turns 31 before the 2024 season begins.
Wighton announced his plans days after it had been revealed Parramatta were on the lookout for more players to consolidate their top-30 roster, which has three vacant spots.
In a meeting between the two, captain Clint Gutherson told Arthur he would be open to bringing on an “X-Factor” player who could take on a number of roles in the backline, including in his own position of fullback.
Wighton has been identified by pundits as one who could fit the bill; he plays five-eighth for the Raiders, started at fullback 87 times earlier in his career and lines up as a centre in Origin.
But with Gutherson, five-eighth Dylan Brown and now halfback Mitchell Moses all signed to long-term contracts, Arthur suggested the Eels already had enough money tied up in big-name spine players.
“We’ve got a fair bit of spend in some of those positions so I reckon it’d be hard,” Arthur said.
“Good luck to Jack.”
Wighton has also been linked with moves to Wests Tigers and the Dolphins.
The Tigers missed out on previous halves targets Cameron Munster, Mitch Moses and Mitchell Pearce and earlier this week, former Raiders teammate John Bateman urged Wighton to consider Concord as he ruminated on his future.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, failed to secure a marquee spine player for their inaugural season but have Sean O’Sullivan, Anthony Milford and Isaiya Katoa on the books as halves options.
The Eels’ search for more players continues, with Arthur reiterating the club’s position that money would not be spent recklessly.
“There hasn’t been any change,” he said.
“A lot of clubs are looking to add players. Like I’ve always said, we want to make our roster better.
“We’re happy with our roster but we’re not just going to bring blokes in for the sake of it.”
The Eels could also opt to upgrade development players to their top-30 roster.
Former Wests Tigers outside back Zac Cini and 2022 Junior NSW Blues player Blaize Talagi are among those on development deals, so cannot be selected for the Eels’ first-grade side without an exemption until round 11.
“If we’ve got no one to fill those spots, it might be some of the young boys here get promoted,” Arthur said.
“We need to be very strategic with our planning moving forward.”
Parramatta appear unlikely to enter the race for Jack Wighton's signature after the Dally M Medallist informed Canberra he would test the open market.
theqldr.com.au
