Jack Wighton is still trying to make up for lost time.
This time last year Wighton’s career at Canberra was in limbo as he spent 10 weeks on the sidelines.
Facing five charges of assault then, there was every chance the Raiders star could face jail time over an incident outside a Canberra nightclub.
But fast forward 12 months, Wighton has been one of the Raiders’s best and is preparing for Friday night’s NRL preliminary final with South Sydney.
His move to five-eighth has been crucial in their pursuit of a first grand final in 25 years, while he also earned his maiden NSW jersey in their State of Origin series win.
“As you get older you start to learn,” Wighton told AAP.
“I let a lot of people down last year. A lot of people are getting older and we had missed opportunities.
“Just repaying them for little things like that. But also just repaying myself back for lost time. And for my family, making up for it.”
It hasn’t been lost on Wighton that the Raiders went into bat for him during his time of need.
They fought the NRL over the length of his 10-game ban, and welcomed him back after he pleaded guilty to the charges and being handed a suspended two-month jail sentence in November.
“It’s been a great year, I’m doing everything I tried to promise everybody,” he said.
“Like paying the club back, paying my mates back. Just getting myself back on track for my family.
“I’m doing that and achieving a little bit more, like being blessed to play Origin and all that is a dream come true. I’m just loving it.”
The 26-year-old is thriving in the extra responsibility the club has handed him this year at five-eighth too.
He has taken on the majority of their kicking duties while his left-edge has become the Raiders’ most dominant attacking side.
It comes after his return to No.6 following five years at centre and fullback was only confirmed by coach Ricky Stuart at the last minute in the pre-season.
While he spent the summer training in the halves, it wasn’t until fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was lured from the Warriors a week before the Raiders’ first trial that Wighton’s move was set in stone.
“It’s just helped in another way with my game,” Wighton said.
“Just getting back in the line. Being busy all the time has helped me because you don’t have time to ponder on things or mistakes (in games).
“I’ve enjoyed it, having a little bit of control. I’m the one who has to get the team around the park and really drive the team.”