It was an emotion time in Wagga Wagga with the Raiders golden point win being the start of the Jack Wighton farewell tour.
Both player and coach struggled in post-match interviews.
“[Memories] that’s what it’s all about. Fourteen years [at the club], finish here strong, make memories and enjoy it,”
Jack Wighton after the golden point win over the Titans
Now, no-one can begrudge a player who has given so much to one club wanting to play with close mates at a rival where their premiership window is well and truly open.
Why wouldn’t Wighton want to take this opportunity?
Where other players look for financial security at the tail end of their career, Wighton’s desire to win a premiership ring is worth more than just money.
It is also great for the Bunnies and their supporters to have another representative player added to their star studded backline. He can play almost anywhere. Jack will start on less money than offered by the Raiders as a centre with a plan to move back into the halves towards his final years.
That is great succession planning by the Bunnies.
For Raiders fans, you have 16 more matches to cheer for your champion player before the finals series commences.
It will be bitter/sweet. With Jack leaving and stalwart Jarrod Crocker retiring at the end of the season that’s the Raiders lifeblood gone.
Not only has the Raiders premiership window slammed shut, it has been nailed closed. It will take years to comeback from this.
Not so good succession planning.
