Sometimes it was a little too much.

There was never any doubt about his talent but having seen Wighton harness that passion in the right way and deliver consistently for Canberra his fellow Western Rams product isn't shocked at all the Raiders star picked up this year's Dally M award.

Siejka and Wighton, who played their junior footy in Bathurst and Orange respectively, were well known to each other growing up in the country and were part of a star-studded 2010 Australian Schoolboys side which also featured James Tedesco, David Klemmer, and David Nofoaluma.

Siejka was one of the many from that squad who went on to play in the NRL but now calls the western area home again after a career that included stints at Penrith, the Warriors and Dragons, as well as three clubs in the UK Super League.

While Wighton's Dally M win last week shocked many, Siejka said he was fully deserving.

"He's been massive. He's always been a good kid," Siejka said,

"He was a couple years younger than me but played up a lot and was always competitive.

"If he missed a tackle he'd be really dirty and get tears in his eyes and get a bit mad.

"You can still see a bit of the madness now but he puts it on the field well. I couldn't be more pleased for someone like him."

Siejka is now looking forward to the 2021 season with the Mudgee Dragons after COVID-19 put a dint in his hopes for this year.

He was one of the marquee signings in the western area prior to the 2020 season and while he didn't get the chance to feature in Group 10 after the season was abandoned, he still got time on the park.

Siejka was captain of a youthful Western Rams side that contested the Presidents Cup and while his team failed to win a match in the competition he loved being a part of it.

"I'll be hanging around (in 2021)," he said.

"I always wanted to come back and it was a bit of shame about this year but the Presidents Cup was really good.

"I had a lot of fun in that. It was a really different type of competition."