Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
Jack Wighton\u2019s South Sydney career could start with a lengthy stint on the sideline after he was directly referred to the judiciary for allegedly biting Newcastle\u2019s Tyson Gamble.<\/p>\n
Wighton\u2019s last game in a 12-year career with Canberra was marred by biting allegations after the Knights\u2019 stunning extra-time win on Sunday, which ended the Raiders\u2019 season and Wighton\u2019s 241-game spell with his junior club.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old will arrive at the Rabbitohs as their star signing, but Tuesday night\u2019s judiciary hearing will dictate when the ex-Blues and Kangaroos utility first pulls on the cardinal and myrtle.<\/p>\n
The last biting charge in the NRL led to former Titans skipper Kevin Proctor being banned for four games, while Brisbane\u2019s NRLW winger Ashleigh Werner was given a two-game suspension (reduced due to the shorter NRLW season) when she was found guilty of biting earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Wighton strenuously denied Gamble\u2019s claim that he bit his forearm on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Gamble was just as adamant he had, remonstrating with referee Ashley Klein after reeling out of a tackle in the 47th minute where his forearm had crept up around Wighton\u2019s head and onto his face.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack Wighton is placed on report.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cMate that\u2019s slobber, that\u2019s not sweat. There\u2019s a bite mate. He bit me,\u201d Gamble said when Klein asked if he was following through with a proper complaint.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a mark there, but tell me what you are seeing,\u201d Klein told the bunker as Gamble presented his forearm.<\/p>\n \u201cI have got one line of teeth marks alone. Is there a definite bite or do we need to put it on report?\u201d<\/p>\n Wighton said in response: \u201cSir, I can\u2019t move my mouth, he has to move his arm.\u201d<\/p>\n Klein eventually opted to place Wighton on report rather than send him off directly due to the bunker\u2019s doubts about what happened.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to really comment, footy\u2019s footy and we had a conversation after it. That\u2019s all I\u2019ll say,\u201d Gamble said after full-time.<\/p>\n Asked if Wighton apologised, Gamble said: \u201cNo, not really. My arm was there and whatever happened afterwards, happened. I\u2019ll leave it there.\u201d<\/p>\n A direct judicial referral will require Wighton to enter a plea. If he is found guilty, it gives the judiciary panel scope to issue a punishment beyond the maximum five-week suspension he would face for dangerous contact. A shorter ban can also be issued by the panel.<\/p>\n Given Wighton\u2019s representative retirement, any suspension would be served in South Sydney\u2019s 2024 NRL campaign, starting with their season-opening clash with Manly in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Newcastle\u2019s Adam Elliott can escape suspension with an early guilty plea and $3000 fine for a high tackle on Canberra\u2019s Joe Tapine. Roosters half Sam Walker has accepted a $1000 fine for his own high shot on Braydon Trindall.<\/p>\n Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>. <\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n