BY DAN

On the weekend it was announced Jack Wighton would miss the game with a hamstring tear. While no more news has emerged about the severity of this issue (at least that I’ve seen), the report from NRL Physio that most hamstring tears result in a two-to-four week recovery does create a problem that may need fixing in tomorrow’s team-list.

For starters it’s worth noting Jack might be fine. He’ll almost certainly be named and given every opportunity to prove his fitness. If he acquired the injury in the Storm game, two weeks would push him right to the edge of Saturday’s nights game. But if it was a training park thing later in the week that might be unrealistic. Regardless if it’s only ‘minor’ then one would presume Wighton would be given until 7.29 on Saturday. Jack would be desperate for one last game in Canberra before he departs for South Sydney this offseason, and Stuart undoubtedly keen to keep him in the side in what will is for intents and purposes a must-win game.

This is curious situation for the Raiders. Wighton has been categorical poor over the last month, attacking with little direction (well, there’s been a direction and it’s been either running towards the corner posts or throwing the ball out). He’s had more errors (7) in his last four games than try-assists (1). More missed tackles (13) than tackle breaks (5). The same number of tries (1) as Canberra had wins involving him (1).

He’s been at the centre of ‘what’s gone wrong’. In both the Warriors and Tigers games it was him throwing balls out, behind and in front of players – more galling in the Tigers game because the left edge was ready to tear the opposition apart given more decent ball. His kicking game has been typically tumultuous, and while his defence has remained resolute he’s still made errors there (like giving away a penalty on the final siren to ensure the Tigers had one more shot at victory, or failing in contact repeatedly against the Storm).

There has unquestionably been a frustration with Wighton’s play from anyone but Ricky Stuart (probably). He’s on his way out and his enigmatic, mercurial style, so long tolerated because he was arguably the most talented player on the roster, no longer has the long-term buy in of the fan base. People aren’t going to defend the weird shit he does when he’s already checked out. For many any solution that has an eye on a Jack-less future is a good one. If he can’t do his job now, and won’t be doing it next year, then find someone who will.

No better was this demonstrated than when a bullshit scurrilous and ill-founded rumour emerged on Sunday night that Jack was going to renege on his deal and stay with the Raiders. It was corrected within hours, and was little but a function of a rumour web-site getting their mail wrong (if we’re being polite and uncynical). But rather than widespread excitement, even the existence of the rumour was met with ambivalence. Decisions were made. The tears were cried. There’s a different future now.

But there’s still games that can be won, and as silly as it sounds and as hopeless as it feels, Canberra is still a chance to win them (not a good chance but still a chance). They are better with Jack right now, or at least their potential is greater. If you’re going to lose, better go down in a blaze of absolute insanity with a chance of glory right? That’s not why Jack will get named but it should be.

The imperfection of immediate options also compounds this. Matt Frawley does provide a more functional connection in attack, and his quiet calm amongst Kevin Arnold’s favourite footy team makes for a nice change of pace. But he’s not the dynamic athlete Jack is. He can’t win a game by himself like Wighton can, and with Jarrod Croker on the left edge there’s every chance they could lose it. Suddenly Hudson Young goes from having to cover his spot and his half, to covering three positions. It’s not the best the Raiders can offer, and it’s not even building for the future. It’s literally the worst of all worlds.

Given the dearth of healthy options it remains the only option if Jack isn’t good to go. My kingdom for Brad Schneider. It was probably unfair to ask Ethan Strange to come into the side in Melbourne given what it was about to offer up. With hindsight Sticky probably wouldn’t have given the young man the trauma. It would be quite the decision to risk him in this game, as cover for Jack, as a key playmaker, for the first time in his first grade career. He was impressive in Cup footy last weekend, and if I’m being generous it reflected a confidence that came from playing first grade, and presumably from Stuart’s support in doing so. It seems now is the time to consolidate that rather than throw him back into Satan’s backwash of a football team.

The situation is stark. The Raiders haven’t beaten a top 8 side since May (coincidentally the Souths game, which was the start of a ten game period where Jack has less combined total try involvements than Canberra had wins). They can probably back their way into the eight, but a win against one of the two top eight sides they’re playing back-to-back would seal the deal, restore confidence to a group acting like 14 year old boys at their first school dnace (do they

But the fact that we’re having a discussion about whether Dally M and Clive Churchill winning Jack is better than a journeyman, or a guy with the same number of first grade games as Jack’s had try assists since June (O N E since the Manly game on the 21st of May per NRL.com, who admittedly have a harder try-assist criteria than other statistics collectors) is a truly bad sign. The sun is setting on his Canberra career and he’s going out with a confused whimper.

Which means, of course, he’ll have a cracker on Saturday night. I hope he does.

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