Wayne Bennett has confirmed the Dolphins “are looking at” the possibility of bringing Jack Wighton to the club.
Wighton dropped a bomb this week by putting himself on the NRL market, despite having a contract option for 2024 in his favour at the Raiders said to be worth $900,000.
The Dolphins were immediately linked to the 2020 Dally M Medallist, and on Friday the coach floated what kind of money they could offer Wighton if a deal was put forward.
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“If we thought he was the right fit for the club and brought the things that we need then we would probably pay more than $1 million,” Bennett said.
“(Money is) not the issue. The issue is does he fit our needs? Do we suit him? They are the things that we’ve all got to talk about and work out.
“He is a very competitive player, highly skilled and has been a great servant of the game. He plays a number of positions.”
Wighton wears the No.6 jumper for Canberra but spent a large part of his career as a specialist fullback, and has played centre for state and country.
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If they are paying seven figures, the Dolphins would of course expect Wighton to play in the spine of the team.
The Dolphins have talented teen playmaker Isaiya Katoa who needs one spot in their halves, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a class fullback and occupies their No.1 jumper.
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The expansion team shocked the NRL by winning its first three games in the league, despite failing to land a marquee signing in the lead-up.
Bennett missed out on Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga – among others – and was reportedly prepared to pay either of them in excess of $1.5 million per season to be the face of the side.
Wighton, 30, has played his entire career with the Raiders and there are mixed opinions on his reason for going to market.
Phil Gould heard it was a desire to live in Queensland, while the chance to win an NRL premiership before retiring was another suggestion.
On Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth, Andrew Johns suggested Wighton could go to the Roosters if Luke Keary ends up calling time on his career due to concussion issues.
Johns said if Wighton’s aim is to win a title, he may have to sacrifice as much as $500,000 a year.
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