Odd Man Out: Rabbitohs center rivals should target .
Usagito should look for a way out.
Jack Wighton’s arrival at Redfern will be one of the most interesting player moves of 2024.
Wighton’s decision to leave the capital came as something of a surprise after playing his entire career with the Canberra Raiders and being a longtime five-eighth.
There’s little question about Wighton’s love for the Raiders.
Not only did he play all 242 games in the NRL, but he also gave up his international rugby league in 2023 to focus on bringing the club back to its prime.
After his departure, he went on a mission to Canberra.
Of course that didn’t happen.
Wighton were involved in an on-field accident in the elimination final against Newcastle Knights, and the Green Machine were eliminated after a thrilling match.
It’s anyone’s guess whether the Raiders will actually be able to cross the gap and take on the New Zealand Warriors just six days later, but the Knights certainly couldn’t.
But this marked the end of Wighton’s time in the capital.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about his decision to step off the green plane was his final destination.
There’s no question about Wighton’s close relationship with Latrell Mitchell, but there are also questions about Wighton’s actual role on Jason Demetriou’s team.
Instead of playing in a five-eighth position, Wighton could be moved centrally or even deployed as a centre-forward.
It’s hard to say that Wighton was as good as 5th/8th in any of these positions, as has been floated many times over Ricky Stuart in Canberra in late 2023.
In any case, Cody Walker will play for State of Origin in 2023 and is under contract for each of the next two seasons, so if Wighton wants to fit in with Barrow he could step into the role very quickly.
You’ll need to get used to it.
Whichever way you look at it, whether you look at it from a South Sydney or Wighton perspective, this is a big challenge.
If it works, Demetriou will look like a genius.
That was also what he needed after South Sydney ended 2023 on a very poor note, somehow missing out on a place in the finals despite leading the competition just before half-time.
If not, Demetriou will be in the process of emptying his locker at Redfern, not just for the failures, but ultimately for the risks he and his recruiting team may never have had to take.
There may be.
This is a big decision, but Isaiah Tass didn’t do much wrong in the 2023 campaign.
The 24-year-old, who came to the Rabbitohs via the Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs systems, has now made 39 NRL appearances for the Reds and Greens since making his debut in 2022.
His 23 of these matches took place during his 2023 season before the end, with the center achieving 124 meters per challenge, recording 9 tries, 9 try assists, 52 tackles for bass, and tackles.
The efficiency is almost 90%, which is an impressive number for a club.
center.
The bottom line is that Tass has been solid during the Rabbitohs’ worst moments and while he hasn’t delivered, Wighton will deliver.
Wighton has undoubtedly played well at center at international level so far, but age is the enemy of all players and the Rabbitohs may have a hard time finding that in 2024.
This is especially true when Tas begins to aim for departure.
He could still move to the wing, but it’s clear Alex Johnston will line up on one side of the park, while the Rabbitohs will be looking to sign 18-year-old Tyrone Munro, who scored three tries, on the other side.
.
The debut season in 2023 will consist of three games.
There is no place for Tass in the starting line-up and the 23-year-old is clearly too good to play in the reserve class, which begs the question of which club he should play for.
Substitutions will likely be necessary to get the job done, and the Rabbitohs will add depth to their middle third by simultaneously adding players who can easily be benched alongside the likes of Tevita Tatra and Thomas Burgess.
It provides healthy competition for backup time for players like Davey Moire and Shaquai Mitchell, who they may be looking to add.
Whether clubs like St George Illawarra Dragons have doubts about full-back, especially whether Zac Lomax can be used at full-back, or clubs like Cronulla Sharks, where are clubs looking?
If you can turn Sioshifa Tarakai back into the front group, you have a choice.
Other clubs that immediately come to mind when it comes to potentially playing for Tas are the Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys, with Tas playing better than Brad Parker.
Perhaps even the Manly Sea Eagles if you consider them to be.
But it doesn’t matter whether they do or not – the bottom line is that Tass is a player who should be targeted by rival clubs in the coming weeks as South Sydney focus on the new center combination they have in place.
That’s it.
Long story: The Rabbitohs have to make it to the finals this year.
It’s hard to imagine them giving their all to Wighton and letting Isaiah Tass leave the club for that reason alone.
However, given that rivals will surely come knocking, player transfers are almost certainly on the table, and South have other needs surrounding their football team.
There is some consideration to be given as to whether Wighton truly believes he is worth the money spent.
to him despite being out of position for the next two seasons.
Leave a Reply