Jack Wighton will return for South Sydney’s final regular-season match against the Roosters after being suspended for four games by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
The Rabbitohs veteran was found guilty of a Grade 2 shoulder charge on Cronulla’s Toby Rudolf during last weekend’s 14-12 loss.
Despite a bid to have the charge downgraded, Wighton was unsuccessful and will now miss crucial fixtures against the Broncos, Titans, Eels and Dragons, leaving his side to fight off the wooden spoon without him.
“It was a fair hearing, I thought we had a good case, but we didn't get the result we wanted,” Wighton said. “So I will turn all my attention to preparing my teammates and really helping everybody in my club the best way I can for now.”
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The judiciary panel, comprised of Bob Lindner and Greg McCallum, and chaired by the Honourable Geoffrey Bellew SC, found that Wighton had made “forceful contact” using his shoulder without attempting to use his arms.
The panel pointed to a “high level of carelessness”, citing a twisting motion, lack of arm involvement, and the risk of injury as key reasons for maintaining the Grade 2 charge.
Wighton will be eligible to return in Round 27, the final game of the regular season, when the Rabbitohs host fierce rivals Sydney Roosters.
The Bunnies, currently bottom of the ladder on for-and-against, will need to win at least one match before then to steer clear of their first wooden spoon since 2006.