NRL overrules Raiders with 10-match ban, $30,000 fine for Wighton
The NRL has come down heavy on Raiders fullback Jack Wighton, overruling a club-imposed ban and fining the Canberra fullback $30,000 for a alcohol-fuelled assault during the pre-season.
Only days after his club slapped the Raiders ace with a six-game ban for pleading guilty to assault outside a Canberra nightspot earlier this year, the NRL has stiffened the penalty to 10 games virtually ruling Wighton out of Canberra's finals push.
He will be eligible for selection for the Raiders' final round match against the Warriors in New Zealand, which might be too late to save Canberra's season, having already sat out two matches.
The Raiders and NRL had been at odds over Wighton's punishment after he pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one of public urination. He is due for sentencing later this year.
Wighton and the Raiders will have five days to respond to the NRL's proposed penalty, which was made sterner after League Central viewed video footage of the night in question.
And Canberra, which has a history of dealing swiftly with player misbehaviour, made it known they were livid with the NRL's ruling.
"After reviewing all of the facts surrounding this incident we firmly stand by our decision and the punishment handed down by the club,” Raiders Chairman Dr Allan Hawke said.
"We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine to the penalty.
"This penalty is excessive, as Jack still has to face further penalties imposed by the ACT Magistrate and Galambany Courts.
"We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by clubs in the future."
We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded
Dr Allan Hawke
"In light of this, it appears clubs don’t really have a role in imposing penalties on their own employees, so perhaps it’s time for the NRL and its integrity unit to decide these matters so that there will be a consistent approach for future offences."
Canberra kept their slim finals hopes alive with a Blake Austin-inspired miracle win over the Bulldogs last weekend and will take on the out-of-sorts Cowboys at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
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