Orange’s Jack Wighton was ruled out of Saturday’s NRL trial with Newcastle on Friday evening after the Canberra Raiders gun failed a fitness test in the lead-up to his first game at Wade Park since 2009.

And as disappointing as it was not to play in front of his home fans, you couldn’t wipe the smile of the Bloomfield and Orange CYMS junior.

“It’s been a great week,” Wighton said post- game, one of a number of players still on the playing surface signing autographs and posing for photos well after the full-time siren.

“What we’ve been doing in the community, it’s great for the country and it’s great for us.

“We love it just as much as everyone else does.

Wighton said the fact 7588 streamed through the gates to witness the city’s first taste of NRL footy since 2009 will make it impossible for other clubs to ignore the region’s thirst for top-flight rugby league.

“It proves a point, how much footy means to the country,” he said.

“They’ve come from everywhere and they had a ball. We should bring games here, Dubbo, anywhere in the area and the bush. 

“It’s great for the game.”

Wighton suffered a head knock in the All Stars game a week ago, and is reportedly battling a back complaint as well.

“I left it right until [Friday] afternoon to prove my fitness but I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have been able to do my job so they made the choice to pull me,” the 23-year-old said.

The young fullback was thrilled with the way the team played, racing to a 34-nil lead, with his injection alongside new halfback Aidan Sezer, English hooker Josh Hodgson and five-eighth Blake Austin set to take the club to another level.

“I don’t know where I’ll fit in at the moment the way everyone played,” he laughed.

“It’s brilliant, I’m more than excited to take the park with these guys.”