Although he confirmed Jack Wighton turned down a contract extension at the Raiders reportedly worth around $750,000, Matt Rose did assure Canberra fans the green machine will still be given the "last shot" to sign the Clive Churchill Medal winner for 2021 and beyond.
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Rose, a premiership winner with Orange CYMS who now manages Wighton, explained the Orange product opted not to take up a one-year option in his favour for 2021 which will leave him free to negotiate with other clubs as of November 1.
Rose hosed down suggestions his client wants out of Canberra after leading the Green Machine to the grand final though, making a point of highlighting Wighton's relationship with the Raiders remains nothing but positive.
He'll be at Canberra next year (but) Jack had an option in his favour for 2021 and he's decided not to take up that option.
- Matt Rose, Jack Wighton's agent
"This is not for the 2020 season, he'll be at Canberra next year (but) Jack had an option in his favour for 2021 and he's decided not to take up that option," Rose told Macquarie Sports Radio.
"The Raiders will always get the last shot based on the relationship he has there. He loves Ricky Stuart and he's been able to develop such a good relationship, not only with the coach but also he's brought the team along with him.
"He's one of the leaders of the club and they look to him to spark all their attack. It's obviously a big decision but we'll maintain that relationship all the way through and hopefully everyone comes out well in the end".
Along with leading the Raiders to the big dance, winning the Clive Churchill Medal and making his State of Origin debut Wighton is set to earn his first international cap in Australia's Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.
Rose suggested that and his versatility was a factor in Wighton's decision, and would certainly add to his value on the open market too.
"He's only going to improve at five-eighth, he's played centre for NSW and he's going to be the Australian centre, but when he was at fullback he had so much talent there too," Rose said.
"You'll see across the competition that there is absolutely no other player that's been able to go into those three positions and play at that level for a very long time. There won't be a club that won't want to talk to Jack Wighton based on the season that he's had.
"We're very confident where Jack is as player and now it's up to what's best for Jack and his family."
It's still very early in the process and Rose said Wighton's focus will remain on Australia's Tests with New Zealand on October 25 and then Tonga on November 2.
"The only thing we've done is to let the Raiders know we won't be taking up the option," Rose said.
"I told [Wighton] to go and play well [for Australia], finish the season off and we'll have a chat after that."
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
