Jack Wighton and Ricky Stuart have both broken down in tears after the five-eighth led Canberra to a thrilling golden point win against the Dolphins just days after signing with South Sydney.
Halfback Jamal Fogarty slotted his first NRL field goal to grab the Raiders the 31-30 win in the 84th minute, after they’d coughed up an 18-0 lead to the never-say-die Dolphins searching for a second straight comeback win.
Wighton was in scintillating touch and landed a 22-minute flurry to blow the game open, scoring a try and providing an assist to complement five tackle busts, two line break assists and a forced dropout as the Dolphins fell three converted tries behind.
He couldn’t fight back tears when asked about his decision to head to the Rabbitohs post-game and neither could Canberra coach Stuart, who blasted the “lies” regarding why Wighton had decided to leave his home of 15 years.
One speculated reason for his move was that he feels he’s a better chance of winning a premiership with South Sydney.
“If we weren’t hurt by him going, we don’t care about him, and we don’t care about the club,” Stuart said.
“Am I pissed off he’s going? Yeah, I am, but that’s his decision.
“No one on the outside understands how much pressure Jack’s had on him, they only hear the hearsay and there’s so much lies and innuendo in regards to why Jack’s leaving.
“He’s going for a change, he’s been here for a long time and I get that, I really do.”
Stuart declared Wighton’s virtuoso performance should shut down any talk he’d consider a mid-season exit to his new club.
Wighton paid tribute to his teammates’ support after they’d fought off the fast-finishing Dolphins and squared their season ledger at 4-4 with a third straight win.
“It was huge; it’s been a very tough week,” he told Fox League.
“Couple of massive decisions and that, so to come to this with the brothers was big … (they’re) good boys, love them all.
“That’s what it’s all about … finish the year strong, make memories and enjoy it.”
Wayne Bennett’s men were powerless to stop Wighton’s early onslaught.
They were outrun by 400m and missed 13 tackles before they finally fired a shot with back-to-back tries for Euan Aitken and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to give themselves a chance of another famous comeback win.
Canberra veteran Jarrod Croker capped a brilliant opening set with his 134th career try before Wighton and Jordan Rapana helped the Raiders pinch a handy break.
A week after coming from 26 points down to beat Gold Coast, the Dolphins again found themselves chasing the game and struggled to get the match on their terms.
Down 24-12 with 22 minutes to play, two tries in four minutes for powerful second-rower Connelly Lemuelu got the Dolphins level, before captain Jesse Bromwich crashed over to set up a grandstand finish after Fogarty had put the Raiders back in front.
Bennett wouldn’t comment on Wighton’s starring role just days after he’d knocked back a lucrative offer to join the club, simply answering: “I was watching the Dolphins”.
By Alex Mitchell in Canberra
