Jack Wighton

Background

Born in Orange, New South Wales, Wighton played his junior football for Orange CYMS and Bloomfield Tigers before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.

Playing career

Wighton played for the Raiders NYC team in 2011 before being promoted to the Raiders full-time NRL squad. Wighton has represented NSW Under 18s and Australian Schoolboys in 2010.

2012

In round 2 of the 2012 NRL season, Wighton made his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders against the Gold Coast Titans, having an impressive debut match on the wing in the Raiders 24-12 win at Robina Stadium. In round 6, against the New Zealand Warriors, Wighton scored his first NRL try in the Raiders 32-12 win at Canberra Stadium. On 30 May 2012, Wighton suffered a toe injury in a freak trampoline accident which resulted in him missing most the year, until he made a return in the semi-final match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Raiders 16-38 loss at ANZ Stadium. On 22 August 2012, Wighton extended his contract with the Raiders until the end of the 2014 season. Wighton finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 9 matches and scoring 2 tries.

2013

On 9 February 2013, Wighton was selected to play for the Indigenous All Stars off the interchange bench in the 32-6 win over the NRL All Stars team at Suncorp Stadium. He was also selected to play for NSW Country at centre against NSW City in Country's 18-12 win in Coffs Harbour. Wighton finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Raiders. On 1 November 2013 Wighton re-signed with the Raiders until the end of 2016.

2014

Wighton was selected to play at five-eighth by incoming Raider coach Ricky Stuart, but was selected at centre in the annual City vs Country Origin match. In round 10, against the Penrith Panthers, Wighton returned to his preferred centre position in the Raiders 26-20 loss at Canberra Stadium. Wighton played at centre until round 24, when he was selected to play at fullback for a clash with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He had a successful match, helping the Raiders to a 22-12 win at Remondis Stadium. Wighton had a successful end of the season at fullback for the Raiders. He finished the 2014 NRL season having played in 20 matches and scored 6 tries. On 9 September 2014, Wighton was selected in the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train-on squad but didn't make the final 24-man squad.

2015

On 13 February, Wighton was selected on the interchange bench for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match. The Indigenous side won 20-6 over the NRL All Stars. On 3 May, he played for New South Wales Country against New South Wales City in the 2015 City vs Country Origin match, playing at centre and scoring a try in Country's 34-22 win at Wagga Wagga. In round 25, against the Penrith Panthers, he was charged with a grade two careless high tackle after he blindsided Panthers halfback Jamie Soward, following a break downfield. The hit left Soward unconscious and he had to be assisted off the field on a stretcher. He was later suspended for a match, missing out in the Raiders last match of the season. He finished the 2015 season having played in 20 matches and scoring 7 tries. On 26 September, he played for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, scoring a try in the 40-12 win in Port Moresby.

2016

On 13 January 2016, Wighton was named in the emerging New South Wales Blues squad. On 13 February 2016, Wighton played for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars, playing off the interchange bench in the 12-8 loss at Suncorp Stadium. On 8 May 2016, Wighton played for Country Origin against City Origin, where he played at fullback in the 44-30 loss in Tamworth.

Wighton finished the 2016 season playing 23 games for the Canberra Raiders and scored 8 tries.