Jack Wighton could be on the move for the first time in his NRL career, telling Canberra he plans to test the open market.
The 2020 Dally M medallist has told the Raiders he won’t pick up an option on his contract for the 2024 season and will instead search for a new deal, presumably a long-term one.
It does not mean Wighton, 30, will leave the Raiders, with the club preparing to fight to retain their superstar, one-club player.
CEO Don Furner acknowledged it could be the five-eighth’s last big contract and encouraged him to consider his options.
“Jack has been incredibly loyal to the Raiders over 14 seasons and never tested himself on the market, he has always committed to this club,” Furner told AAP.
“Jack has a very young family, and this could be his last contract, so he should make sure he is absolutely 100 per cent comfortable with his decision.
“The Raiders will do whatever we can to keep Jack a one-club player and will continue to talk to his management about a package to retain him.”
Wighton, a World Cup winner with Australia and a NSW State of Origin talent, debuted with the Raiders in 2012 and sits tied for sixth on their all-time games list.
He penned a five-year deal with the club at the start of 2020, but had individual player options for 2023 and 2024, needing to trigger the option by round 10.
Wighton’s potential departure could headline an off-season of change in Canberra. Winger Jordan Rapana and prop Emre Guler are also out of contact, while hooker Tom Starling has a player option for 2024.
Depth halves Brad Schneider and Matt Frawley are also off contract, meaning who will partner halfback Jamal Fogarty in the long term is well and truly up in the air.
The Raiders will get a preview of life without Wighton when they host Penrith on Friday night, with the five-eighth accepting a two-game ban for a late hit on Newcastle’s Jackson Hastings.
Frawley, who played at No.7 in Fogarty’s absence, is likely to shift to No.6.
“Every time he comes in he does a great job,” Canberra prop Joe Tapine said of Frawley.
“His kicking game is beautiful and he always puts it in the corner. You know what you’re going to get from ‘Frawls’.
“We haven’t really talked about (who will play), but either one I’m pretty safe with.”
By Alex Mitchell in Canberra
